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THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 


JOHN  SANFORD  BRUM BACK 


THE 

COUNTY   LIBRARY 

THE  PIONEER  COUNTY  LIBRARY  (THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY 

OF  VAN  WERT  COUNTY,  OHIO)     AND    THE    COUNTY 

LIBRARY  MOVEMENT  IN   THE  UNITED  STATES 


BY 


SAIDA  BRUMBACK  ANTRIM 

Secrttery  of  The  Brumback  Library  Board 
AND 

ERNEST  IRVING  ANTRIM,  Ph.  D,  (Gditingen) 


fflTH  iX  ILLVSrRATlONS  FROM  PHOTOGRAPHS  AND  A  MAP 


THE  PIONEER  PRESS 

VAN  WERT,  OHIO 


z. 

753 


Copyright 
THE  PIONEER  PRESS 
1914 

Published  May,   19 14 


9.  9.  liall  Printing  do.,  fllftiraga 


INTRODUCTION 

Dr.  p.  p.  Claxton,  U.  S.  Commissioner  of  Education 

np  HE  increase  in  interest  in  public  libraries  the  last  three 
decades  has  been  great.  Through  public  taxation  and 
private  donations  libraries  have  been  established  in  almost  all 
cities  and  larger  towns  in  the  United  States.  Many  of  these 
are  housed  in  costly  buildings.  Most  of  them  are  served  by 
expert  librarians  and  trained  assistants.  However,  much  more 
than  half  of  the  men,  women  and  children  of  the  United 
States  live  in  the  open  country  and  in  the  smaller  towns  and 
cities  out  of  reach  of  the  city  libraries.  Probably  seventy  per 
cent  of  the  entire  population  of  the  country  have  no  access  to 
any  adequate  collection  of  books  or  to  a  public  reading  room. 
In  only  about  one-third  of  the  counties  of  the  United  States 
is  there  a  library  of  5,000  volumes  or  more.  In  only  about 
100  of  these  do  the  village  and  country  people  have  free  use 
of  the  libraries.  In  this  as  in  so  many  other  things  the  very 
people  who  need  help  most  and  who  would  be  most  benefited 
by  it  have  been  neglected. 

In  a  few  instances  city  libraries  have  been  opened  to  coun- 
try and  village  people.  In  many  small  towns  and  villages 
small  subscription  libraries,  open  a  few  hours  in  the  week, 
have  a  precarious  existence.  In  several  states  circulating 
libraries  afford  some  relief.  But  none  of  these  minister  to 
the  country  people  in  a  way  or  to  an  extent  to  be  compared 
with  the  service  which  the  large  and  well-endowed  public 
libraries  render  city  people. 

The  taxable  property  of  small  towns,  villages,  townships, 
and  rural  districts  is  not  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  support 
good  public  libraries  alone.  The  only  help  for  all  is  in  the 
county  library,  supported  by  taxes  levied  on  all  the  taxable 
property  of  the  county,  managed  by  trained  librarians  and 
having  branches  in  all  the  towns,  villages,  and  schools  of  the 

V 


J  ** 


vi  INTRODUCTION 

county.  Cooperation  is  as  necessary  here  as  it  is  in  other 
matters  of  public  welfare.  That  no  county,  however  poor, 
may  be  without  the  means  to  support  such  a  library  there 
should  be  state  aid  for  public  libraries  just  as  there  is  for 
public  schools  in  most  states.  No  community  should  be 
deprived  through  poverty  of  access  to  all  the  books  it  can 
make  good  use  of. 

What  may  be  done  for  all  the  people  of  a  county  through 
a  county  library  and  its  branches  is  well  illustrated  by  the 
Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  and  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio 
—  the  first  library  in  the  United  States  attempting  to  serve 
an  entire  county  in  this  way.  We  have  here  also  the  best 
possible  illustration  of  how  city  and  county,  private  individ- 
uals and  public  may  cooperate.  The  private  individual  — 
Mr.  John  Sanford  Brumback,  a  merchant  and  banker  of  the 
town  of  Van  Wert  —  and  his  heirs  gave  the  money  for  the 
handsome  library  building,  the  city  gave  the  site  in  its  beauti- 
ful wooded  park,  and  the  upkeep  of  the  library  and  its 
branches  is  provided  from  taxes  levied  on  the  property  of 
the  county  at  large. 

Though  this  library  was  established  less  than  fifteen  years 
ago,  its  example^  has  already  been  followed  by  about  a  hun-- 
dred  other  counties.  Sooner  or  later  it  will  be  followed  by 
all.  The  following  will  be  more  rapid  if  more  citizens  of 
wealth  will  imitate  the  example  of  Mr.  Brumback.  In  prac- 
tically all  the  counties  of  the  United  States  there  are  one  or 
more  citizens  who  might  easily  do  this,  thereby  leaving  their 
fellow  citizens,  their  children  and  their  children's  children  the 
opportunity  and  means  of  culture  and  to  their  own  memories 
a  perpetual  monument. 

I  have  found  the  account  which  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Antrim  have 
here  given  of  the  founding  and  work  of  the  Brumback 
Library  interesting,  instructive  and  inspiring.  I  commend  it 
to  those  who  are  interested  in  finding  a  way  by  which  all  of 
the  people  may  have  access  to  the  best  that  has  been  thought 
and  said. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

February  i6,  1914. 


PREFACE 

C  OON  after  the  opening  of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van 
Wert  County,  Ohio,  in  1901,  the  Board  of  Trustees  deter- 
mined that  a  memorial  should  be  prepared  for  publication, 
in  order  that  the  history  of  the  library  might  be  preserved 
in  permanent  form  for  future  reference.  The  Book  Com- 
mittee was  accordingly  authorized  to  proceed  with  the  work. 
As  chairman  of  this  committee  and  as  the  daughter  of  the 
donor  of  the  library,  I  very  naturally  became  greatly  inter- 
ested in  carrying  out  the  instructions  of  the  Board. 

Believing  that  the  work  should  receive  the  most  careful 
attention  I  finally  decided,  with  the  approval  of  the  Board, 
to  take  the  matter  of  editing  and  publishing  the  book  into  my 
own  hands,  and  thereby  make  it  a  purely  personal  under- 
taking. 

As  the  years  have  passed  it  has  become  more  and  more 
evident  that  as  a  county  library  the  Bnmiback  Library  is 
attracting  much  attention,  that  its  operations  are  being  watched 
with  interest,  and  that  the  county  library  idea  is  coming  to 
occupy  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  educational  and  cultural  life 
of  the  nation.  From  the  beginning  the  library  has  received 
requests  for  information  concerning  its  origin  and  methods 
as  a  county  institution.  These  inquiries  have  covered  a  wide 
range  of  most  pertinent  questions,  such  as  the  following: 

"  How  long  has  the  Brumback  County  Library  been  estab- 
lished ?  "  "  How  was  it  founded  ?  "  "  Who  was  the  founder  ?  " 
"  What  is  the  feeling  of  the  people  as  to  the  benefits  derived 
from  a  county  library  ?  "  "  Give  some  arguments  for  a  county 
library."  "  Give  the  details  of  administration."  "  How  many 
townships  and  villages  in  Van  Wert  County  ?  "  "  What  amount 
is  spent  in  operating  the  county  branches  ?  "  "  How  many 
county  stations  are  there  ?  "  "  Are  the  county  branches  pat- 
ronized by  the  farmers  ?  "  "  Do  the  branch  libraries  aid  the 
township  schools  ? "  "  Do  you  use  guarantors'  cards  ? " 
"  What  is  the  circulation  of  books  in  the  county  ?  "     "  How 

vii 


viii  PREFACE 

are  books  transported,  by  wagon  or  rail  ?  "  "  Who  attends  to 
the  work  of  distributing  and  collecting  the  books  sent  to  the 
county  branches  and  who  pays  the  official  ?  "  "  What  kind  of 
transportation  boxes  are  used  and  what  is  the  cost  of  the 
same  ?  "  "  What  methods  are  employed  in  library  service  to 
rural  schools  ?  "  "  Are  teachers  responsive  and  do  they  apply 
for  traveling  libraries  on  their  own  initiative  ?  "  "  Is  there 
any  difficulty  in  getting  records  of  circulation  from  teachers  ?  " 
"  Do  you  send  separate  collections  to  schools  ?  "  "  What  is 
the  nature  of  the  school  collections  ?  "  "  What  work  is  done 
with  the  children  in  the  county  ?  "  "  Is  the  library  maintained 
solely  by  taxation  ?  "  "  How  is  the  tax  levied  ?  "  "  How 
much  annually  is  raised  by  taxation  ?  "  "  What  is  your  budget 
of  expenses  ?  "  "  What  amount  is  available  for  books  each 
year  ? "  "  Is  there  a  demand  for  agricultural  books  ? " 
"What  classes  of  books  are  read  and  in  demand?"  "How 
many  volumes  in  the  library?"  "How  often  are  books 
renewed  at  Main  Library  ?  "  etc.  etc.  Also  requests  for  photo- 
graphs illustrative  of  the  work,  and  for  reports,  blanks,  printed 
matter  and  maps,  have  been  received. 

Requests  for  this  information  have  at  all  times  met  with 
careful  consideration. 

As  these  have  become  more  numerous  and  indicate  a  desire 
for  specific  knowledge,  it  seemed  desirable  that  the  memorial 
should  be  expanded  so  as  to  include  something  of  the  county 
work  of  the  Brumback  Library.  My  connection  with  the 
Board  of  Trustees  in  the  capacity  of  secretary  from  June  2, 
1899,  when  the  first  board  was  organized,  to  the  present  time, 
has  enabled  me  to  give  the  complete  statement  of  the  work 
of  the  library  embodied  in  Part  II. 

Furthermore,  as  a  result  of  the  spread  of  the  county  library 
idea  a  third  part  is  added,  which  is  devoted  to  the  growth  and 
development  of  the  county  library  movement  in  the  United 
States.  What  was  begun  as  a  labor  of  love  became  an  under- 
taking much  greater  than  was  at  first  anticipated;  therefore 
my  husband  volunteered  to  assist  me  in  the  work  and  assumed 
the  responsibility  of  collecting  and  arranging  all  the  data  for 
Part  III,  which  he  gathered  with  no  little  difficulty  from  a 
great  many  sources,  including  answers  to  scores  of  letters 
addressed  to  all  parts  of  the  Union. 


PREFACE  ix 

It  has  been  our  aim  to  state  the  facts  in  connection  with 
the  Hbrary  as  they  exist  and,  whenever  possible,  to  allow  the 
public  press  to  reflect  the  attitude  of  the  people  in  their  com- 
ments on  these  facts. 

The  book  contains  some  matter  of  a  local  character,  which 
may  not  especially  interest  the  general  reader.  But  anyone 
having  at  heart  the  welfare  of  our  rural  population,  compris- 
ing 55%  of  all  the  people  of  the  United  States,  will  be  inter- 
ested in  the  comprehensive  and  statistical  history  of  a  library 
that  has  from  the  beginning  emphasized  its  work  in  the  coun- 
try. Moreover,  Part  III,  which  represents  the  first  attempt 
yet  made  to  record  the  progress  of  the  county  library  move- 
ment in  the  nation,  should  be  of  general  interest. 

Gratefully  acknowledging  the  assistance  of  my  husband,  a 
collaborator  in  the  writing  of  this  book,  and  the  aid  of  Miss 
Anna  L.  Holding,  librarian  of  the  Brumback  Library,  who 
prepared  the  index,  I  send  forth  this  volume  in  the  hope  that 
it  may  be  a  fitting  tribute  of  a  daughter  to  the  memory  of 
her  father  and  contribute  a  little,  even  though  it  be  very  little, 
to  the  solution  of  some  of  the  problems  of  Rural  Life  in 
America. 

S.  B.  A. 


CONTENTS 


PART  I 


The  Origin  of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert 
County,  Ohio 

Chapter  Page 

I    The  Donor 3 

II    The  Bequest  for  a  County  Library    .      .      .11 

III  Proposition  of  Heirs  and  the  County  Library 

Law  of  Ohio 19 

IV  The  Contract 31 

V    The  Laying  of  the  Corner-Stone     ...     44 

VI    The  Dedication 61 


PART  II 

The  Work  of  the  Brumback  Library 

VII  Van  Wert  County 89 

VIII  The  Library  Trustees 99 

IX  The  Library  Staff 109 

X  The  Opening   of   the   Circulating   Depart- 
ment        118 

XI  The  Central  Library 125 

XII  The  Branch  Libraries 133 

XIII  Schools 182 

XIV  Future  Possibilities 203 

XV  Tables  of  Statistics 210 

xi 


xii  CONTENTS 

PART  III 

The  County  Library  Movement  in  the  United  States 

Chapter  Page 

XVI    Library  Activities  in  the  United  States    .  233 

XVII     County  Library  Laws 240 

XVIII    County  Library  Laws  Discussed    ....  249 

XIX    The  County  Libraries  of  the  United  States  256 

XX    The  Advantages  of  the  County  Library  .     .  274 

XXI    A  Look  into  the  Future 283 

XXII    The  County  Libraries  of  the  United  States 

Classified 288 

Index 297 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

John  Sanford  Brumback Frontispiece 

The  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County 42 

The  Brumback  Library 43 

The  Brumback  Library 43 

The  Brumback  Library 60 

The  Brumback  Library 60 

The  Brumback  Library 61 

The  Van  Wert  County  Fair 96 

The  Van  Wert  County  Fair 97 

The  Van  Wert  County  Fair 97 

Dasie  Branch  Library,  Interior 104 

Scott  Branch  Library,   Interior 105 

Converse  Branch  Library,  Interior 112 

Converse  Branch  Library 113 

Ohio  City  Branch  Library 113 

Glenmore  Branch  Library 120 

Ohio  City  Branch  Library,  Interior 121 

The  Delphos  PubHc  Library 134 

Venedocia  Branch  Library,  Interior 135 

Elgin  Branch  Library,  Interior 144 

Willshire  Branch  Library,  Interior 145 

Cavett  Branch  Library 154 

Cavett  Branch  Library,  Interior 155 

Dasie  Branch  Library 155 

Dixon  Branch  Library,  Interior 164 

xiii 


xiv  ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Dixon  Branch  Library 165 

Glenmore  Branch  Library,  Interior 165 

Wren  Branch  Library 176 

Wren  Branch  Library,  Interior 177 

Elgin  Branch  Library 177 

Convoy  Branch  Library,  Interior 186 

Convoy  Branch  Library 187 

Scott  Branch  Library 187 

A  Rural  School  in  Van  Wert  County 192 

A  Rural  School  in  Van  Wert  County 193 

A  Rural  School  in  Van  Wert  County 193 

Middlepoint  Branch  Library,  Interior 200 

Middlepoint  Branch  Library 201 

Vendocia  Branch  Library 201 

Wetsel  Branch  Library 206 

Willshire  Branch  Library 207 

Wetsel  Branch  Library,  Interior 207 

Map 297 


PART  I 

THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  BRUMBACK 

LIBRARY  OF  VAN  WERT 

COUNTY,  OHIO 


The  County  Library 


CHAPTER  I 

THE  DONOR 

JOHN  SANFORD  BRUMBACK  was  born  on  a  farm 
in  Licking  County,  Ohio,  on  the  4th  day  of  March, 
1829.  His  father  descended  from  an  old  Virginia  family 
of  German  extraction,  the  progenitor  of  which  had  come 
to  America  in  early  Colonial  times.  His  mother,  Frutilda 
Bearnes,  came  from  Pennsylvania,  whence  her  parents 
emigrated  to  Ohio  at  an  early  day.  From  her  he  inherited 
many  of  his  sterling  qualities  of  mind  and  heart. 

When  he  was  four  years  of  age  his  father  died,  leaving 
his  mother  a  legacy  of  six  young  children  and  forty  acres 
of  undeveloped  land  having  a  log  house  upon  it.  Since 
there  was  nothing  with  which  to  rear  and  educate  her  four 
girls  and  two  boys  except  what  could  be  produced  from 
the  soil  of  this  wild  land,  his  mother,  like  others  of  that 
day,  no  whit  discouraged,  set  bravely  to  work  to  eke  out  a 
precarious  livelihood.  In  a  few  years  she  was  called  upon 
to  mourn  the  death  of  her  eldest  son,  and  no  other  course 
remained  but  for  her  and  the  four  daughters  to  make  their 
own  living,  aided  by  young  John's  efforts.  Because  she 
was  unable  to  spare  her  only  boy  from  his  work,  except 
in  the  winter  season,  John's  early  education  consisted  of 
the  crude  instruction  received  in  a  country  school,  during 
the  few  winters  he  was  privileged  to  attend  school  at  all. 
He  was  quick  to  learn,  however,  and  acquired  even  in  this 

3 


4/,  .  :  /!  V :  •'  ' ' • ;  ™^  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

short  time  the  rudiments  of  an  education  that,  added  to 
and  rounded  out  by  a  lifetime  of  close  observation  and 
keen  perception,  made  him  a  man  of  general  information 
and  broad  intelligence. 

Trained  from  childhood  to  battle  with  the  world,  to 
depend  upon  himself  and  to  labor  for  those  whom  he  loved, 
he  became  one  of  the  capable,  self-reliant  and  generous 
men  who  win  the  affection  of  those  who  know  them  and 
make  the  world  better  for  their  having  lived.  In  telling 
of  his  capability  and  self-reliance,  even  in  early  life,  his 
mother  used  to  say  that  she  trusted  him,  at  the  early  age 
of  ten,  to  take  to  market  the  farm  produce  that  the  family 
had  to  sell,  which  he  disposed  of  with  rare  judgment  for 
one  of  his  years.  He  was  as  good  a  horse-trader  at  fifteen 
as  David  Harum  himself.  His  mother  often  said  she  never 
knew  what  horse  John  would  bring  home.  He  many  times 
laughingly  related  that  he  never  got  beaten  in  a  horse  trade 
but  once,  and  that  was  when  he  traded  a  horse  for  a  cow 
—  and  the  cow  died. 

His  commercial  instinct  having  been  thus  early  aroused, 
he  left  the  farm  and  opened  a  general  store  at  the  age  of 
seventeen.  The  only  capital  he  had  was  fifty  dollars  that 
his  mother  had  saved,  which  she  willingly  entrusted  to  him. 
With  this  he  went  to  Cincinnati,  where  he  so  won  the 
confidence  of  wholesale  dealers  by  his  frank  and  manly 
bearing  that  they  sold  him  on  credit  enough  goods  to  open 
a  country  store  at  Ashley,  Delaware  County,  Ohio.  This 
small  beginning  was  the  basis  of  his  after  success  and 
fortune. 

At  Ashley,  on  May  26,  1852,  he  married  Ellen  Perlena 
Purmort,  who  was  bom  August  10,  1832,  at  Jay,  New 
York,  and  who  was  an  unfailing  inspiration  and  helpmate 
to  her  husband  until  his  death.  When  eight  years  old  she 
went  with  her  parents  to  Kempville,  Canada,  where  they 
lived  until  she  was  fifteen.     In  the  summer  of  1847,  they 


THE  DONOR     >    -.'' ','',1': '' ^    .;5 

moved  to  Berlin,  Delaware  County,  Ohio.  Here  she  taught 
a  term  or  two  of  school  and  became  noted  as  the  little 
teacher  who  could  manage  the  rude,  rough  boys.  Upon 
the  death  of  her  mother,  in  1850,  the  care  and  responsibility 
of  the  large  family  fell  upon  her  young  shoulders,  which 
burden  she  willingly  and  successfully  assumed.  As  the 
oldest  of  the  large  family  of  children,  she  had  shared  all 
the  trials  and  sorrows  of  her  parents  in  many  losses  and 
removals,  yet  she  kept  a  happy  heart  and  she  was  her 
father's  helper  in  those  sad  years.  The  loving  and 
sacrificing  nature  of  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brumback  was 
well  shown  when,  upon  her  father's  death  shortly  after 
her  marriage,  they  took  into  their  own  home  her  five 
young  brothers  and  sisters.  Two  of  these  they  reared  as 
their  own  children  to  lives  of  usefulness.  What  this  meant 
in  the  early  days  can  hardly  be  appreciated  in  these  days 
of  labor-saving  appliances  and  small  families.  They  were 
a  happy  pair,  and  the  world  helped  them  because  they 
helped  themselves  by  living  sober,  prudent  and  industrious 
lives. 

Shortly  after  their  marriage,  owing  to  the  impaired 
health  of  Mr.  Brumback,  they  moved  to  a  farm  on  the  Old 
State  Road  north  of  Worthington,  Ohio,  where  they  lived 
for  two  years.  In  1858  they  went  to  Casey,  Clark  County, 
Illinois,  in  which  village  Mr.  Brumback  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  with  such  success  that  when  in  the 
spring  of  1862  he  came  with  his  family  to  Van  Wert,  Ohio, 
he  brought  with  him  $5,000  in  gold.  Van  Wert  County 
was  then  a  comparatively  new  and  thinly  settled  county 
having  a  population  of  only  10,238.  Here  he  entered  the 
dry-goods  business,  and  also  became  interested  in  the  stave 
business,  a  leading  industry  in  Van  Wert  County  and 
northwestern  Ohio  generally,  at  that  time,  because  of  the 
thousands  of  acres  of  finest  hardwood  timber  that  covered 
all  of  this  territory.     In  1884  he  disposed  of  his  dry-goods 


eel    \f  \,yC  ^VtTHE  COJUNTY  LIBRARY 

business  and  purchased  a  controlling  interest  in  the  Van 
Wert  National  Bank,  of  which  he  became  president.  As 
a  banker,  he  was  careful,  conservative,  but  withal  progress- 
ive. During  his  thirty-five  years'  residence  in  Van  Wert 
he  helped  create  and  finance  many  enterprises  of  great 
value  to  the  people,  notably  the  Cincinnati,  Jackson  and 
Mackinaw  Railroad  (now  the  Cincinnati  Northern,  a  part 
of  the  New  York  Central  System),  in  which  he  became 
interested  when  its  failure  was  imminent;  The  Central 
Manufacturers  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  of  Van  Wert, 
Ohio,  of  which  he  was  president  to  the  time  of  his  death; 
The  Farmers  Bank,  of  Rockford,  Ohio;  The  Union  Savings 
Bank,  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  and  The  Monroe  Street  Railway, 
of  Toledo,  which  he  started  on  the  road  to  prosperity  at 
a  time  when  its  future  was  uncertain. 

Mr.  Brumback  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  First 
Methodist  Church,  of  Van  Wert,  having  acted  for  a 
number  of  years  as  one  of  its  trustees,  and  he  was  a 
charter  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  in  Van  Wert, 
in  whose  good  work  he  was  an  active  participant. 

In  later  years  his  generous  heart  prompted  him  to  build 
a  public  library  for  his  home  town  and  county.  This  was 
before  Mr.  Carnegie  began  his  extensive  library  giving  and 
the  idea  then  of  donating  a  public  library  was  not  so 
common  as  now.  After  consulting  the  members  of  his 
family  and  receiving  encouragement  from  them,  he  ordered 
plans  prepared  for  a  building  to  be  located  in  a  park  in 
Van  Wert  City;  but  when  the  plans  were  about  perfected 
he  was  taken  seriously  ill.  Upon  finding  that  he  would  not 
be  able,  owing  to  his  fatal  illness,  to  carry  out  his  ideas, 
he  called  his  son  Orville,  a  lawyer  in  Toledo,  to  his  home 
in  Van  Wert,  and  there,  after  fully  discussing  the  project 
with  his  family,  he  had  a  will  drawn  providing  for  the 
erection  of  the  library  by  his  heirs.  His  will  contained  a 
clause  to  the  effect  that  any  of  the  heirs  could  defeat  the 


THE  DONOR  7 

project  if  unwilling  to  join  in  the  expense.  However,  not 
only  were  all  willing  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  their  father, 
but  they  constructed  an  even  better  building  than  he  had 
planned.  Another  feature  of  the  will  is  the  unique  idea, 
undoubtedly  original  with  Mr.  Brumback,  of  having  the 
library  owned  and  maintained  by  the  county  and  its  benefits 
extended  to  the  whole  county,  that  the  country  people  as 
well  as  the  town  people  might  enjoy  library  privileges. 

[In  order  to  avoid  repetitions  the  following  press  comments 
are  not  given  in  full.] 

GONE  FOREVER  —  ONE  OF  THE  MOST  CONSPICUOUS  FIGURES  IN 
VAN  WERT's  BUSINESS  AFFAIRS  PASSES  AWAY' J.  S.  BRUM- 
BACK   DIES    AFTER    A    LINGERING    ILLNESS FOR    YEARS    A 

FOREMOST   LEADER   IN    ALL   PUBLIC    MATTERS 

One  of  Van  Wert's  most  useful  citizens  is  dead.  One  of 
our  best-known  men  has  crossed  the  silent  river.  John  Sanf  ord 
Brumback  died  at  his  home,  on  North  Jefferson  Street,  this 
morning. 

As  a  business  man,  he  developed  exceptional  mental  force. 
Always  careful,  prudent,  prompt  and  far-seeing,  he  managed 
his  affairs  with  consummate  ease,  gradually  working  his  way 
from  a  poor  boy  to  one  of  the  foremost  business  men  of  Ohio, 
honored  for  his  correct  methods  and  consulted  for  his  mature 
judgment. 

He  has  been  identified  with  the  leading  business  enterprises 
of  the  town  from  the  time  he  located  here  until  his  death.  In 
all  his  ventures,  he  was  never  connected  with  a  failure. 

His  tastes  were  domestic.  He  loved  most  the  company  of 
his  own  family  and  relatives.  Endowed  with  a  genial  disposi- 
tion, he  was  easily  approached  by  all.  He  was  proud  of  the 
distinction  of  being  a  true  American  and  boasted  of  his  Ameri- 
can citizenship.  Without  early  advantages,  unassisted  by 
anyone,  he  achieved  his  position  by  his  force  of  character  and 
strength  of  intellect.  Had  his  fortune  been  cast  in  some  great 
city,  where  transactions  are  larger  than  here,  his  business  suc- 
cess would  have  won  him  even  greater  wealth,  and  a  wider 
distinction  among  his  f ellowmen. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  Dec. 
II,  1897. 


8  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

DEATH  OF  J.  S.  BRUMBACK FATHER  OF   HON.  O.  S.  BRUMBACK 

EXPIRES    AT    VAN    WERT HAD    BUSINESS    INTERESTS    AND 

FRIENDS     IN     TOLEDO WAS     ONE     OF    VAN     WERT's     MOST 

INFLUENTIAL  CITIZENS 

Hon.  O.  S.  Brumback  received  a  message  from  Van  Wert 
Saturday  announcing  the  death  of  his  father,  John  Sanford 
Brumback,  at  that  place.  Mr.  Brumback  was  one  of  Van 
Wert's  most  influential  and  public-spirited  men.  He  had  been 
a  poor  boy,  but  by  dint  of  hard  work  and  careful  management 
he  became  one  of  the  prominent  business  men  of  the  state. — 
Toledo  Blade,  Dec.  13,  1897. 

HON.   J.   S.   BRUMBACK,   ONE  OF  VAN   WERT's  LEADING  BUSINESS 
MEN,  passes  to  THE  GREAT  BEYOND 

Many  friends  received  with  sorrow  the  news  of  the  death 
of  John  Sanford  Brumback.  He  had  a  wide  circle  of  acquain- 
tances and  was  highly  esteemed  as  a  neighbor  and  citizen  for 
his  charitable  disposition,  industry,  kindness  and  moral  integ- 
rity.—  Van  Wert  Republican,  Dec.  16,  1897. 

THE  SILENT  REAPER  CUTS  OFF  THE  EVENTFUL  LIFE  OF  J.  S. 
BRUMBACK BY  HIS  DEATH  VAN  WERT  LOSES  ITS  FORE- 
MOST CITIZEN  —  THOUGH  LONG  A  SUFFERER,  YET  THE 
FINAL  SUMMONS  CAME  UNEXPECTEDLY 

Van  Wert's  most  prominent  citizen  passed  from  this  scene 
of  action  last  Saturday  morning.  It  was  then  that  John 
Sanford  Brumback  gave  up  this  life  for  eternity.  Like  a  knell 
the  announcement  of  his  death  fell  on  attentive  ears  and  called 
forth  expressions  of  deep  sorrow  on  every  hand.  As  the  word 
went  from  lip  to  lip  the  invariable  response  was,  "  We  have 
lost  a  valuable  citizen  and  a  useful  man." 

Mr.  Brumback,  as  all  are  aware,  had  been  an  acute  sufferer 
with  kidney  trouble  for  more  than  a  year  past.  He  tried  every 
known  remedy  and  also  many  medical  experts,  was  given  all 
the  attention  that  ample  means  could  command,  but  the  seed 
of  certain  death  seemed  firmly  imbedded  in  his  malady.  Last 
summer  he  took  treatment  at  the  Alma,  Michigan,  sanitarium, 
which  only  served  to  prolong  his  life  a  few  months.  Few  per- 
sons can  realize  the  terrible  suffering  he  had  to  endure.  It 
took  pain  of  the  most  excruciating  and  unrelenting  character 


THE  DONOR  9 

to  gain  the  mastery  over  a  man  possessing  his  ambitious  mind 
and  strong  physical  constitution.  It  was  in  October  that  he 
returned  to  his  home,  as  he  said,  "  to  take  his  chances  and 
await  with  fortitude  the  final  result."  He  was  known  to  be 
growing  weaker  from  day  to  day,  but  no  member  of  his  house- 
hold thought  death  lurked  so  near;  although  the  attending 
physician,  Dr.  McGavren,  had  informed  them  that  the  end 
might  come  very  suddenly  and  without  warning.  So  it  did. 
On  Saturday  morning  he  dressed  and  ate  breakfast  with  his 
family.  About  half -past  nine  o'clock  he  went  to  an  adjoin- 
ing room,  attended  by  his  nurse.  At  a  moment  when  refusing 
the  help  of  the  nurse  he  leaned  over  on  his  side,  and  before 
the  alarm  could  reach  the  family  his  spirit  had  taken  its  flight 
to  the  other  world.  The  sorrowing  wife  and  grief-stricken 
sons  and  daughters  were  quickly  gathered  about  the  form  of  a 
devoted  husband  and  loving,  indulgent  father.  Friends  and 
neighbors  soon  began  to  call  to  offer  their  sincere  sympathy. 

His  life  is  linked  with  the  growth  and  history  of  this  town 
and  county.  His  many  successful  business  enterprises 
denoted  his  keen  judgment,  prudent  management  and  stead- 
fast perseverance. 

Starting  out  in  life  a  poor  boy,  with  only  a  limited  educa- 
tion, Mr.  Brumback  accumulated  a  good-sized  fortune  and  won 
an  eminent  place  among  his  fellowmen.  He  was  a  man  of 
practical  mind,  a  genuine  public-spirited  citizen,  full  of  loyalty 
to  the  state,  true  to  his  family,  and  faithful  at  all  times  to  his 
friends.  His  memory  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  all  who 
knew  him  best.  The  bereaved  family  have  the  blessed  heritage 
of  a  good  name  and  the  comforting  assurance  of  a  life  well 
spent. 

Those  left  to  mourn  are  the  widow,  two  sons,  O.  S.  Brum- 
back, of  Toledo,  and  D.  L.  Brumback,  and  two  daughters,  Mrs. 
J.  P.  Reed,  Jr.,  and  Miss  Saida  Brumback  [Mrs.  E.  I.  Antrim], 
of  Van  Wert. 

Brief  but  impressive  funeral  services  were  held  at  the  home 
on  North  Jefferson  Street,  Tuesday  afternoon.  A  quartette 
composed  of  Rev.  J.  A.  Gordon,  Eugene  Humphreys,  Miss 
Alice  Clark  and  Miss  Harriet  Hall  sang  "  The  Home  of  the 
Soul "  and  "  On  Jordan's  Stormy  Banks  I  Stand,"  which  were 
the  favorite  hymns  of  the  deceased  during  his  lifetime.  Rev. 
A.  J.  Fish,  D.  D.,  read  with  much  feeling  the  15th  Chapter  of 


10  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

I  Corinthians,  and  at  its  conclusion  offered  up  a  prayer  sub- 
limely beautiful  and  eloquent.  Rev.  J.  H.  Fitzwater,  D.  D., 
read  a  memorial,  and  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  J.  F,  Mounts, 
who  with  tender  voice  told  of  his  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Brum- 
back  for  the  past  thirty-five  years.  The  casket  was  laden 
with  flowers,  and  as  it  was  borne  to  the  hearse  bowed  heads 
and  tearful  eyes  betokened  the  grief  of  wounded  hearts. 

With  the  journey  to  Woodland  cemetery  and  the  barring  of 
the  doors  of  the  Brumback  mausoleum,  the  earthly  career  of 
J.  S.  Brumback  wjas  closed  forever. —  Van  Wert  Times,  Dec. 
17,  1897. 


CHAPTER  II 

THE  BEQUEST  FOR  A  COUNTY  LIBRARY  * 

IN  1891  Mrs.  Georgia  C.  Glenn  and  Mrs.  Fannie  Strandler 

solicited  aid  for  a  "  Reading-Room  "  for  the  city  of  Van 
Wert.  Some  days  later,  at  the  home  of  the  latter,  these  two 
ladies,  with  ten  others,  organized  a  reading-room  association, 
each  agreeing  to  pay  three  dollars  annually  for  its  support. 
Mrs.  George  H.  Marsh  donated  the  first  fifty  dollars.  More- 
over, the  income  from  entertainments,  lectures,  socials,  etc., 
increased  the  fund  materially. 

On  July  28,  1893,  the  association  was  incorporated  under 
the  laws  of  Ohio,  under  the  name  "  The  Van  Wert  Library 
Association."  The  following  were  the  original  members  of  the 
organization:  Georgia  C.  Glenn,  Lucy  A.  Craig,  Mary  P. 
Leeson,  Isabella  L.  Rose,  L.  Elizabeth  Malick,  Clara  V.  Half- 
hill,  Frances  O.  Clark,  Eudorah  H.  Troup,  Anna  W.  Clark, 
Hattie  L.  Brotherton,  Fannie  H.  Strandler,  Mary  J.  Hiestand. 

On  July  25,  1894,  they  decided  to  open  a  public  circulating 
library,  although  they  had  only  $600  in  the  treasury.  This 
fund,  however,  was  increased  by  the  sale  of  annual  tickets  at 
one  dollar  and  a  half  each,  and  donations  of  books,  furniture 
and  other  things  needful  for  the  fitting  out  of  a  reading-room 
were  generously  made  by  the  people.  A  pleasant  room  in  the 
Kime  block  was  secured  and  the  library,  containing  600 
volumes,  was  opened  to  the  public  September  14,  1894,  with 
Mrs.  Clara  Half  hill  [Cavette]  in  charge  as  librarian. 

The  ladies  continued  to  work  and  received  a  great  deal  of 
encouragement.  Better  still,  contributions  came  from  many 
sources.  Among  others,  Mr.  J.  S.  Brumback  manifested  much 
interest  in  this  library,  buying  tickets  for  distribution  and 
giving  liberally  to  its  support.     He  remarked  to  one  of  the 

♦  In  the  remainder  of  Part  I  the  public  press  is  for  the  most  part 
allowed  to  tell  the  story.  This  is  done  for  the  purpose  of  showing 
public  sentiment  relative  to  the  county  library  idea.  While  much  is 
given  because  of  its  local  interest,  the  part  as  a  whole  might  also 
prove  attractive  to  the  general  reader.  To  avoid  repetitions  many 
omissions  have  been  made  from  the  articles,  which  are  given  chron- 
ologically. 


12  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

charter  members :  "  I  have  always  had  an  eye  on  your  library 
and  have  watched  its  management  and  success  with  great 
interest." 

On  September  15,  1896,  it  was  made  a  free  city  library  by 
virtue  of  a  tax  levy  of  three-tenths  of  a  mill  for  its  support. 
This  yielded  $559  a  year,  which  with  careful  management  paid 
only  the  expenses  of  the  reading-room.  Money  had  to  be 
raised  by  the  ladies  in  other  ways  for  the  purchase  of  books, 
which  now  numbered  1,400. 

It  was  the  object  and  ambition  of  the  association  to  form  a 
nucleus  for  a  permanent  library,  and  they  therefore  received 
with  joy  the  announcement  of  the  generous  gift  to  the  county 
by  the  heirs  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback  and  expressed  their 
willingness  to  do  their  part  in  securing  for  the  county  so 
acceptable  a  donation. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin. 

1897 

GENEROUS  DONATION  TO  THE  TOWN  OF  VAN  WERT  BY  THE  LATE 
J.  S.  BRUMBACK ONE  OF  THE  HANDSOMEST,  MOST  SUB- 
STANTIAL LIBRARY  BUILDINGS  IN  THE  STATE  OF  OHIO  —  TO 
BE     LOCATED     IN     SECOND     WARD     PARK,     FRONTING     MAIN 

STREET TO  BE  OF  STONE,   FULLY  COMPLETED,   FURNISHED 

AND  EQUIPPED,  READY  FOR  OCCUPANCY MR.   BRUMBACK'S 

PROPOSITION THE  TERMS  ON  WHICH  THE  BUILDING  IS  TO 

BE  DONATED,   FULL  TEXT  OF  THE  WILL,  ETC. 

Every  resident  of  Van  Wert  town  and  county  will  read  with 
pleasure  a  provision  of  the  will  of  their  esteemed  fellow- 
citizen,  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback.  It  provides  for  one  of  the 
most  valuable,  enduring  gifts  ever  donated  to  the  city  —  prac- 
tical and  beneficial  from  every  standpoint.  An  additional 
ornament  to  our  many  notable  structures;  a  perpetual  benefit 
to  every  man,  woman  and  child  who  seeks  knowledge;  a  high 
compliment  to  good  citizenship,  by  a  person  in  a  position  to 
know  his  neighbors  and  possessed  of  liberality  of  spirit  and 
impartiality  of  discrimination,  which  enabled  him  to  judge 
justly  of  the  people  with  whom  he  lived  and  associated,  carried 
on  business  and  transacted  the  affairs  of  trade  and  commerce 
during  the  best  years  of  a  long  and  eventful  life.  Such  is  the 
monument  J.  S.  Brumback  has  provided,  which  will  be  erected 
on  a  spot  of  easy  access  in  the  center  of  the  city  and  will 
implant  enduring  love  and  esteem  for  the  generous  donor  in 


THE  BEQUEST  FOR  A  COUNTY  LIBRARY       13 

the  hearts  of  all  who  devote  their  time  and  thoughts  to  the 
training  and  improvement  of  their  minds  and  the  ennoble- 
ment of  their  lives  and  characters. 

The  gift  is  to  be  a  public  library  building.  It  will  be  a  little 
more  than  60x70  feet  and  will  have  an  elevation  of  two  stories 
with  terraced  approaches.  The  material  is  to  be  of  stone  and 
the  construction  as  nearly  faultless  as  possible,  insuring  dura- 
bility and  a  pleasing  effect.  This  spacious  building  is  to  be 
furnished  throughout  to  the  minutest  detail,  ready  for  books 
and  patrons,  a  free  gift  from  a  noble  man. 

J.  S.  Brumback  came  to  Van  Wert  in  his  young  manhood. 
Here  he  developed  and  exercised  the  commanding  qualifica- 
tions which  distinguished  him  and  enabled  him  so  success- 
fully to  provide  large  and  ample  means  for  himself  and  those 
nearest  to  him.  Moreover,  the  ties  which  bound  him  to  the 
people  of  his  adopted  city  were  strong  and  he  wished  to  per- 
petuate them  by  a  noble  and  enduring  gift. 

Mr.  Brumback  contemplated  the  erection  of  the  library  dur- 
ing his  lifetime  and  was  greatly  disappointed  that  circum- 
stances were  such  that  he  was  prevented  from  doing  this.  As 
late  as  last  April,  while  confined  to  his  home  with  a  fatal 
disease,  he  prepared  an  outline  of  a  proposition  to  the  proper 
authorities,  hopeful  that  he  might  enter  upon  the  construction 
of  the  building  during  last  summer.  Owing  to  his  weak  and 
nervous  condition,  however,  the  members  of  his  family  were 
fearful  lest  the  worry  and  strain  of  bringing  the  matter  before 
the  public  would  prove  injurious  to  him,  and  persuaded  him 
to  postpone  making  the  proposition  until  his  health  would  fairly 
permit.  The  heirs  all  desire  to  carry  out  his  wishes  and  ideas 
as  fully  as  possible.  The  views  of  Mr.  Brumback  as  stated 
in  his  proposition  are  therefore  of  great  interest  to  the  public, 
since  they  probably  express  the  main  conditions  upon  which 
the  heirs  will  insist. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  Dec.  18,  1897. 

MR.  brumback's  proposition 

"  To  the  Ladies'  Library  Association,  the  Hon.  Mayor  and 
Common  Council  of  Van  Wert  and  also  to  the  County 
Commissioners  of  Van  Wert  County. 

"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

"  I  submit  herewith  plans  and  elevation  for  a  public  Library 
Building  which  is  to  be  all  stone  and  first-class  in  every  par- 


14  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

ticular.  I  have  been  thinking  for  two  or  three  years  of  con- 
structing such  a  Library  Building  and  donating  it  to  the 
proper  authorities  to  receive  it;  have  had  the  drawings  made 
for  nearly  two  years ;  but  the  unsettled  state  of  money  mat- 
ters was  such  that  I  did  not  feel  at  the  time  like  undertaking 
it.  After  financial  affairs  were  somewhat  settled,  my  health 
failed  and  I  have  not  been  able  to  do  anything,  but  have 
thought  it  best  now  to  submit  the  following  proposition: 

"  I  will  build  said  building,  put  in  all  furniture  and  fixtures 
ready  for  use,  and  donate  the  same  to  the  proper  authorities, 
on  the  following  conditions: 

"  That  you  give  the  privilege  to  locate  said  building  in 
Second  Ward  Park.  It  will  be  a  great  ornament  to  the  Park 
as  well  as  the  Park  an  ornament  to  the  building.  I  have 
always  felt  a  particular  interest  in  finding  something  that 
would  beautify  this  Park  and  think  this  will  do  so  in  a  com- 
plete manner.  I  would  not  care  to  consider  any  other  loca- 
tion. My  present  idea  would  be  to  place  it  mid-way  between 
Jefferson  Street  and  the  bridge,  fronting  on,  and  sitting  back 
from,  Main  Street,  and  terraced  in  a  proper  manner. 

"  That  you  agree  to  make  proper  provision  to  maintain  and 
operate  said  Library  and  gradually  supply  the  necessary  books 
and  periodicals  for  it.  The  plans  herewith  will  be  carried  out 
or  improved  upon. 

"  If  I  get  better  and  able  to  do  business,  will  commence  it 
as  soon  as  possible.  If  I  do  not  get  better  and  am  unable 
to  assume  the  responsibility  of  the  building,  I  have  inserted 
a  clause  in  my  will  providing  for  my  heirs  to  carry  out  my 
ideas.  How  soon  it  will  be  built  depends  somewhat  on  my 
being  able  to  look  after  details. 

"  I  have  had  no  estimates  and  have  no  idea  what  the  cost 
will  be,  but  you  may  rest  assured  that  in  making  a  donation 
like  this,  no  pains  or  money  will  be  spared  in  making  it  a 
beautiful  and  substantial  building  that  will  stand  for  all  time, 
a  source  of  benefit  and  pleasure  to  our  people." 

LAST  WILL  OF  J.  S.   BRUM  BACK 

"  In  the  name  of  the  Benevolent  Father  of  all,  I,  J.  S. 
Brumback,  of  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  being  of  sound  mind  and  dis- 
posing memory,  do  make  and  publish  this  my  last  Will  and 
Testament,  It  is  my  will,  and  I  do  give,  and  devise,  and 
bequeath,  all  my  property,  both  real  and  personal,  as  follows : 


THE  BEQUEST  FOR  A  COUNTY  LIBRARY      15 

"  Item  I.  I  do  give,  devise  and  bequeath  all  my  property, 
both  real  and  personal  and  mixed,  to  my  dear  wife,  Ellen  P. 
Brumback,  so  long  as  she  may  live,  she  to  have  and  enjoy  all 
the  income  from  the  same  so  long  as  she  may  live.  If  it 
becomes  necessary  for  her  comfort  and  best  welfare  to  use 
any  part  of  the  principal,  it  is  my  will  that  she  may  do  so, 
in  so  far  as  it  may  be  absolutely  necessary  for  her  personal 
comfort  and  best  welfare.  The  foregoing  bequest  and  devise 
to  my  said  beloved  wife  to  be  in  lieu  of  her  dower  estate  in 
my  property.  It  is  my  further  will  and  desire  that  my  said 
wife  leave  the  management  and  control  of  all  my  said  prop- 
erty to  my  living  children  (majority  controlling),  so  long  as 
they  profitably  manage  the  same. 

"  Item  II.  I  do  give,  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  dear  chil- 
dren, Orville  S.  Brumback,  David  L.  Brumback,  Estelle  B. 
Reed  and  Saida  M.  Brumback,  per  stirpes,  all  my  property, 
both  real,  personal  and  mixed,  in  fee  simple  and  absolute, 
subject,  however,  to  the  life  estate  of  my  dear  wife,  Ellen  P. 
Brumback,  and  conditions  thereof  as  contained  in  Item  I. 
Any  notes  that  I  hold  against  any  of  my  said  children,  by 
way  of  advancement  to  them,  to  be  taken  out  of  his  or  her 
respective  share  (without  interest). 

"  Item  III.  Feeling  a  great  regard  for  my  fellow  towns- 
men of  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  and  affection  for  the  said  city  in 
which  I  have  spent  so  many  happy  years  of  my  life,  I  have 
long  contemplated  a  gift  to  them  of  a  Library  Building,  as  a 
token  of  my  affection  and  regard.  In  that  behalf  I  have  had 
plans  prepared  for  such  a  building,  but  owing  to  the  condi- 
tion of  my  health  have  not  been  permitted  to  enter  upon  its 
construction.  It  is  my  will  and  desire  that  my  said  dear  wife 
and  children  expend  sufficient  of  my  estate,  willed  to  them 
in  Items  I  and  II,  to  carry  out  my  wishes,  known  to  them,  by 
the  erection  and  gift  of  a  Library  Building,  something  after 
the  plans  and  designs  I  have  had  prepared  for  that  purpose; 
provided,  and  this  item  is  upon  the  express  condition,  that 
my  wife  and  children  can  make  arrangements  satisfactory  to 
them  with  the  said  city  of  Van  Wert  or,  if  they  desire  and 
think  best,  with  Van  Wert  County,  for  a  location  for  said 
building  and  the  maintenance  of  the  Library  to  be  placed 
therein. 

"  Item  IV.  It  is  my  will  that  my  said  dear  wife  and  chil- 
dren, or  so  many  of  them  as  may  desire  to  qualify,  act  as 


16  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

executors  of  my  estate,  without  giving  bond  or  having  any 
appraisement  thereof.  I  know  that  they  will  not  fail  to  carry 
out  my  wishes  herein  stated,  whether  sufficiently  stated  in 
law  or  not. 

"  In  witness  whereof,  I,  the  said  J.  S.  Brumback,  have 
hereunto  set  my  name  and  do  declare  and  publish  this  instru- 
ment as  my  last  will  at  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  this,  the  29th  day 
of  March,  A.  D.,  1897. 

(Seal)  J.  S.  Brumback. 

"  The  said  J.  S.  Brumback,  at  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  did  on  the 
29th  day  of  March,  A.  D.,  1897,  sign  and  seal  this  instru- 
ment in  our  presence  and  did  publish  and  declare  the  same 
as  and  for  his  last  will,  and  we,  at  his  request  and  in  his 
presence  and  in  the  presence  of  each  other,  have  hereunto 
set  our  names  as  subscribing  witnesses. 

(Signed)  Frank  W.  Leslie, 

Henry  C.  Boesche." 

Van  Wert  Bulletin,  Dec.  18,  1897. 

A    PUBLIC    library    BUILDING   DONATED   TO   THE   TOWN    OF   VAN 
WERT PLANS  OF  BUILDING  CAN  BE  SEEN  AT  LIBRARY 

The  good  news  of  the  provision  made  in  the  will  of  the  late 
J.  S.  Brumback  (which  was  published  last  Friday)  that  he 
had  made  a  liberal  gift  of  a  beautiful  and  costly  public  library 
building  to  the  town  of  Van  Wert  was  received  by  the  people 
with  great  gratification.  As  mentioned  in  our  last  issue,  ever 
since  his  arrival  in  Van  Wert  as  a  young  man,  Mr.  Brumback 
has  been  a  leader  in  enterprises  for  the  good  of  our  people, 
and  now  it  seems  that  he  has  provided  that  the  good  work 
which  he  did  during  his  life  shall  through  a  public  library 
continue  after  his  death. 

Mr.  Brumback  took  great  interest  in  our  little  library 
established  through  the  efforts  of  a  few  of  our  noble  women. 
He  also  did  much  toward  making  our  handsome  little  parks 
what  they  now  are.  The  fine  grove  of  trees  shading  Second 
Ward  Park  was  planted  by  him,  so  it  is  no  wonder  that  he 
selected  this  beautiful  spot  as  the  site  where  should  stand  the 
greatest  gift  ever  given  Van  Wert  and  one  of  the  most  last- 
ing monuments  that  a  Van  Werter  could  possibly  erect. — 
Van  Wert  Republican,  Dec.  23,  1897. 


THE  BEQUEST  FOR  A  COUNTY  LIBRARY       17 

A  BENEFACTOR 

The  town  of  Van  Wert  has  been  made  the  offer  of  a  mag- 
nificent gift.  By  the  provisions  of  the  last  will  and  testa- 
ment of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback,  it  is  proposed  to  build  one 
of  the  finest  library  buildings  in  the  state  and  have  it  donated 
to  Van  Wert  city  and  county. 

By  the  terms  of  his  will,  Mr.  Brumback  wants  not  only  to 
put  up  this  elegant  building,  but  to  furnish  it  completely, 
ready  for  the  books  and  the  public  use  of  them.  It  will  be 
seen  that  the  only  conditions  attached  to  this  generous  gift 
are  that  the  building  be  located  in  Second  Ward  Park,  front- 
ing on  Main  Street,  and  that  the  city,  joined  possibly  by  the 
county,  make  suitable  provision  for  its  maintenance  and  fur- 
nish books  for  the  same  as  they  may  be  needed.  Everyone 
will  admit  these  are  essential  conditions,  and  it  would  be  a 
public  disgrace  not  to  meet  them. 

Every  resident  of  this  town  and  county  should  unite  in 
praise  of  this  benefaction  and  in  an  effort  to  comply  with  the 
fair  conditions  imposed.  It  will  be  an  enduring  monument 
to  the  memory  of  a  grand,  good  man  as  well  as  a  perpetual 
ornament  to  the  park  and  city.  Such  a  gift  and  such  an 
institution  speak  well  for  the  citizenship  of  Van  Wert.  It 
will  be  a  lasting  benefit  not  only  to  those  who  were  permitted 
to  enjoy  the  friendship  of  Mr.  Brumback  during  his  lifetime 
but  to  generations  yet  unborn. 

It  is  of  interest  to  state  that  all  the  children  of  Mr,  Brum- 
back are  not  only  satisfied  v/ith  this  part  of  the  will  but 
express  a  desire  to  carry  out  the  plans  and  wishes  of  their 
father  to  the  minutest  details  regardless  of  cost.  It  is  esti- 
mated that  the  cost  of  a  library  building  such  as  Mr.  Brum- 
back had  in  mind  will  be  all  the  way  from  $35,000  to  $50,000. 
No  time  should  be  lost  by  the  authorities  in  accepting  such 
an  extraordinary  gift. —  The  Van  Wert  Times,  Dec.  24,  1897. 

1898 

THE    BRUMBACK    LIBRARY 

By  the  generous  provisions  of  J.  S.  Brumback's  will  the 
citizens  of  Van  Wert  city  and  county  are  to  have  one  of  the 
finest  public  library  buildings  in  the  state.  There  is  nothing 
which  could  be  more  desired  at  the  present  time   for  the 


18  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

adornment  of  the  town  and  for  the  mental  and  moral  cultiva- 
tion of  the  people.  A  good  free  library  is  worth  more  to  us 
than  half  a  dozen  opera  houses,  desirable  as  a  commodious 
assemblage  room  would  be.  A  good  gymnasium  or  Y.  M.  C.  A. 
building  is  perhaps  the  next  thing  to  be  desired,  and,  in  time, 
no  doubt,  it  will  come.  The  present  public  library  has  made 
a  good  beginning  with  its  small  resources,  and  is  well  patron- 
ized, but  nothing  ample  or  adequate  to  the  needs  of  our 
progressive  city  could  be  done  until  some  wealthy  and  gener- 
ous citizen  stepped  forth  with  the  gift  of  a  permanent  home. 
This  Mr.  Bnmiback  has  done,  and  his  plans  and  proposals 
are  made  in  a  munificent  style,  yet  on  conditions  of  main- 
tenance which  seem  to  us  very  easy  and  most  favorable  for 
the  community.  Van  Wert  is  certainly  to  be  heartily  con- 
gratulated on  her  good  fortune  in  receiving  such  a  noble 
bequest. —  The  Van  Wert  Presbyterian,  January,  1898. 


CHAPTER  III 

PROPOSITION    OF    HEIRS    AND    THE    COUNTY    LIBRARY    LAW 

OF   OHIO 

BRUM  BACK  LIBRARY  —  PROPOSITIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS  BY  THE 
HEIRS  OF  THE  LATE  J.  S.  BRUMBACK AUTHORITIES  MEN- 
TIONED   SHOULD    TAKE    IMMEDIATE    STEPS     NECESSARY    TO 

ACCEPT    THE    GENEROUS    GIFT OF    UTMOST    IMPORTANCE 

THAT  OUR  CITIZENS  THROUGHOUT  THE  TOWN  AND  COUNTY 
SHOULD    UNANIMOUSLY    ACCEDE    TO    THE    REQUESTS    MADE 

"  To  the  Ladies'  Library  Association,  the  Mayor  and  Com- 
mon Council  of  the  City  of  Van  Wert  and  the  County 
Commissioners  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio. 

"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

"  As  you  are  doubtless  aware,  the  will  of  the  late  J.  S. 
Brumback  provides  for  the  construction  by  his  estate  of  a 
stone  library  building  in  first-class  condition  ready  for  use,  in 
the  town  of  Van  Wert,  provided  his  heirs  can  make  satis- 
factory arrangements  for  the  location  and  maintenance  of  the 
building  and  library  to  be  placed  therein. 

"  The  undersigned  heirs  of  his  estate  are  unanimous  in 
their  desire  to  fully  carry  out  the  wishes  of  Mr.  Brumback 
as  an  enduring  memorial  to  *  one  who  loved  his  f  ellowmen.' 
Hence,  we  have  considered  the  subject  of  the  best  mode  of 
undertaking  the  enterprise,  and  herein  submit  to  you  our  con- 
clusions on  the  subject. 

"  So  far  as  the  matter  of  location  is  concerned,  there  can 
be  little  question  that  the  Second  Ward  Park  is  the  most 
desirable  place  that  can  be  suggested.  Mr.  Brumback  planted 
the  trees  in  that  park  and,  watching  their  growth  for  twenty- 
five  years,  was  very  solicitous  that  something  might  be  added 
to  the  park  to  complete  its  ornamentation.  We  do  not  believe 
that  there  will  be  any  objection  to  the  location  of  the  library 
in  that  park. 

"  The  subject  of  the  maintenance  of  the  library  is  one  of 

19 


20  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

greatest  importance.  It  is  apparent  that  there  should  be 
ample  provision  for  supplying  proper  and  sufficient  books  and 
periodicals  for  the  library,  otherwise  the  building,  however 
fine,  would  be  no  credit  either  to  the  donor  or  to  the  donee. 
The  library  inside  the  building  should  be  in  keeping  with  the 
exterior  of  the  building,  and  to  secure  that  end  we  are  especi- 
ally solicitous. 

"  The  will  does  not  determine  whether  the  free  library  is 
to  be  a  town  or  a  county  institution;  but  we  are  persuaded 
that  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  the  bequest  should  be 
extended  to  the  people  of  the  entire  county,  as  well  as  the 
town  of  Van  Wert,  for  many  reasons,  principal  among  which 
are  the  following: 

"  First,  by  making  it  a  county  institution  30,000  people  will 
be  enabled  to  share  the  privileges  of  the  library,  whereas  if 
it  is  restricted  to  the  town,  only  8,000  people  will  be  benefited. 

"  Second,  Mr.  Brumback's  associations  and  intimate  ac- 
quaintance extended  throughout  the  county,  and  we  know 
his  primary  desire  was  that  his  fellow  citizens  in  the  county 
as  well  as  in  the  town  should  be  benefited  by  his  gift,  if  that 
end  could  be  fairly  accomplished. 

"  Third,  it  would  not  cost  any  more  to  maintain  and  operate 
the  library  for  the  benefit  of  the  citizens  of  the  whole  county, 
than  it  would  for  the  benefit  of  the  citizens  of  the  town. 

"  Fourth,  there  is  no  real  objection  to  permitting  the  people 
in  the  county  to  draw  books  from  the  library.  The  distance 
to  which  they  would  be  taken  is  not  much  greater  than  distant 
suburban  districts  in  some  of  our  large  cities.  By  a  proper 
system  of  rules  and  fines  the  books  would  be  as  speedily  and 
promptly  returned  from  the  country  as  in  the  town. 

"  Fifth,  it  will  be  necessary  to  equip  the  library  with  books 
and  maintain  it  by  taxation.  We  are  advised  that  the  total 
tax  duplicate  of  the  town  is  $1,800,000  [1890  appraisement] 
and  it?  indebtedness  is  about  $200,000;  whereas  the  total  tax 
duplicate  of  the  county  is  $9,000,000  [1890  appraisement]  and 
its  indebtedness  only  about  $100,800.  The  town  is  now 
incurring,  and  will  in  the  future  be  called  upon  to  incur,  large 
expense  in  paving  streets,  building  sewers  and  making  other 
municipal  improvements,  which  together  with  its  present 
indebtedness  and  small  tax  duplicate  as  compared  with  the 
county's  duplicate,  renders  its  ability  to  provide  for  the  library 
much  less  than  that  of  the  county. 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAW  OF  OHIO  21 

"  As  to  the  conditions  which  should  enter  into  the  arrange- 
ment with  the  county,  we  have  thought  the  following  would 
commend  themselves  as  being  proper  and  not  in  any  wise  bur- 
densome, viz :  — 

"  I.  That  the  library  be  called  THE  BRUMBACK 
LIBRARY,  in  honor  of  him  who  made  it  possible. 

"  2.  That  the  county  agree  to  levy  an  annual  tax  of  not  less 
than  six-tenths  of  a  mill  for  library  purposes  upon  all  the 
taxable  property  of  the  county. 

"  While  a  levy  of  one  mill  for  two  or  three  years  in  the  start 
is  most  desirable,  yet  the  minimum  amount  proposed  of  six- 
tenths  of  a  mill  would  serve  to  make  a  beginning  and  would  in 
time  produce  a  creditable  library.  We  believe  the  people  will 
heartily  favor  a  liberal  levy  when  they  learn  the  benefit  of 
having  the  latest  and  best  literature  of  the  day  provided  for 
them  at  a  cost  so  nominal  to  the  largest  tax-payer  that  he 
would  not  know  he  was  paying  it. 

"  3.  We  believe  it  would  be  well  to  have  the  library  man- 
aged and  controlled  by  a  non-partisan  board  of  seven  trustees, 
who  should  be  appointed  for  a  term  of  three  (3)  years  and  not 
more  than  two  of  whom  should  go  out  of  office  in  any  one 
year.  To  insure  the  success  of  the  library,  we  have  thought  it 
would  be  well  to  have  these  seven  trustees  appointed  as 
follows : 

"  Two  to  be  appointed  by  the  Ladies'  Library  Association, 
the  Association  to  turn  over  to  the  library  all  their  present 
books  and  property ;  three  to  be  appointed  by  the  County  Com- 
missioners; and  two  to  be  appointed  by  the  heirs  of  J.  S. 
Brumback,  or  their  descendants.  In  case  the  Ladies'  Library 
Association,  or  the  Brumback  heirs,  should  fail  for  a  period 
of  ninety  (90)  days  to  make  their  respective  appointments 
from  time  to  time,  then  the  Common  Council  of  the  City  of 
Van  Wert,  to  make  such  appointments.  We  believe  that  some 
such  system  of  appointment  will  secure  the  best  talent  that 
can  be  had  for  the  direction  of  the  library,  and  will  give  the 
control  and  management  to  those  who  are  most  vitally  inter- 
ested in  its  success. 

"  If  the  county  is  to  secure  the  library,  it  is  necessary  that 
the  County  Commissioners  as  the  representatives  of  the  county 
enter  into  an  agreement  for  its  maintenance  and  operation 
that  we  may  know  it  will  not  prove  a  failure.  We  under- 
stand, however,  that  there  is  no  present  law  to  authorize  the 


22  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

county  to  provide  or  maintain  a  public  library.  The  law 
makes  ample  provision  for  the  town  to  do  so,  authorizing  it 
to  bind  itself  to  carry  out  conditions  of  a  bequest  for  library 
purposes  (Rev.  Stat.  Sec.  1692),  but  no  such  authority  has 
ever  been  conferred  upon  the  county. 

"  It  will  be  necessary  therefore  for  a  law  to  be  passed  by 
the  Legislature,  authorizing  the  County  Commissioners  to  take 
the  proper  action  in  the  matter  on  behalf  of  the  county.  We 
understand  a  bill  has  been  introduced  in  the  Legislature  to 
meet  this  need.  [Bill  drawn  by  O.  S.  Brumback.  See  page 
24].  Permit  us  to  suggest  that  if  anything  is  to  be  accom- 
plished this  year,  each  of  your  organizations  should  appoint  a 
committee  to  see  that  a  proper  bill  to  authorize  the  County 
Commissioners  to  act  is  speedily  passed  by  the  Legislature. 

"  Hoping  the  foregoing  suggestions  may  commend  them- 
selves to  your  judgment;  and  assuring  you  that  we  have  no 
desire  to  attach  any  conditions  to  the  bequest  not  absolutely 
necessary  to  insure  the  best  results,  we  remain 
Very  respectfully  yours, 

Ellen  P.  Brumback. 

Orville  S.  Brumback. 

David  L.  Brumback. 

EsTELLE  B.  Reed. 

Saida   M.    Brumback    [Mrs.    E.    L    Antrim]. 
Van  Wert,  O.,  Jan'y  31,  1898." — Van  Wert  Republican, 
Feb.  3,  1898. 

COUNCIL  proceedings 

The  city  council  held  a  special  session,  Tuesday  evening, 
February  i,  to  act  upon  matters  demanding  immediate  atten- 
tion. The  members  present  were  Hott,  Baird,  Newcomer, 
Barnard,  Spayd  and  Shaffer.  The  proposition  of  the  Brum- 
back heirs  was  read  and  favorably  received  by  every  mem- 
ber. Baird  and  Barnard  were  appointed  a  committee  to  confer 
with  the  County  Commissioners  on  the  matter. —  Van  Wert 
Republican,  Feb.  3,  1898. 

The  erection  of  a  library  building,  such  as  it  is  proposed  to 
donate  to  the  county  or  the  city  of  Van  Wert,  will  necessitate 
an  outlay  of  a  large  sum  of  money  by  the  Brumback  estate. 
It  is  a  matter  of  great  importance.    All  the  conditions  of  this 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAW  OF  OHIO  23 

magnificent  donation  should  be  fully  understood  in  advance 
and  carefully  met. 

The  library  should  be  the  property  of  the  county,  extending 
its  benefits  to  all  citizens  thereof.  The  day  was  when  the 
country  came  to  the  town  for  school  teachers,  but  that  time  is 
a  thing  of  the  past.  The  rule  is  reversed.  The  country  is 
sending  teachers  to  the  towns.  The  largest  per  cent  of  studious 
persons  is  in  the  country;  therefore,  the  greatest  demand  for 
books  is  in  the  rural  districts. 

It  was  the  wish  of  the  donor  that  the  library  be  placed  where 
it  will  do  the  most  good.  By  all  means  let  that  be  done. —  Van 
Wert  Bulletin,  Feb.  4,  1898. 

A  GENEROUS  GIFT  —  THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  BEQUEST  TO  VAN 
WERT  —  SKETCH  OF  THE  FOUNDER HIS  HUMBLE  BEGIN- 
NING AND  STURDY  GROWTH DIED  A   PUBLIC   BENEFACTOR 

A  MOVE  TO  MAKE  IT  BY  PUBLIC  COOPERATION  THE  CEN- 
TER OF  A  COUNTY  INSTITUTION 

No  pen  can  describe  the  many  words  of  gratitude  heard 
expressed  on  every  hand  by  the  citizens  of  the  thriving  little 
city  of  Van  Wert,  and  the  people  of  the  county  in  general, 
since  they  have  heard  the  good  news  of  the  provisions  made  in 
the  will  of  the  late  John  Sanford  Brumback,  former  president 
of  the  Van  Wert  National  Bank.  When  the  seal  of  the 
envelope  containing  his  last  will  and  testament  was  broken, 
Peabody's  sentence,  "  Education,  a  debt  due  from  present  to 
future  generations,"  proved  to  be  the  main  theme;  and  it  was 
then  made  public  that  the  once  poor  teamster  and  dry-goods 
clerk,  who  had  to  start  out  on  life's  journey  with  but  limited 
knowledge,  but  who,  through  thrift  and  perseverance,  had 
achieved  success  in  life,  had  made  his  adopted  town  and  county 
of  Van  Wert  a  noble  gift  of  a  beautiful  library  building,  to 
build  and  furnish  which  it  will  cost  about  $40,000. 

What  is  now  very  gratifying  to  the  people  of  the  county  is 
that  the  heirs  of  the  estate  of  Mr.  Brumback  are  unanimous 
in  their  desire  to  carry  out  fully  his  wishes  as  an  endearing 
memorial  to  one  who  loved  his  fellow-men ;  their  only  proviso 
being  (and  it  is  a  wise  one)  that  satisfactory  arrangements 
may  be  made  with  the  county  properly  to  maintain  the  same. 
The  city  of  Van  Wert  will  be  too  glad  of  the  privilege  of 
putting  a  creditable  library  in  the  building  and  maintaining 


24  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

the  same  should  the  county  fail  to  do  so,  and  while  the  will 
does  not  determine  whether  the  free  library  is  to  be  a  town 
or  a  county  institution,  the  heirs  are  persuaded  that  the 
primary  desire  of  Mr.  Brumback  was  that  his  fellow  citizens, 
in  the  county  as  well  as  in  the  town,  should  be  benefited  by 
his  gift,  if  that  end  could  be  fairly  accomplished. 

It  would  not  cost  any  more  to  maintain  a  library  for  the 
benefit  of  the  people  of  the  whole  county  than  it  would  for 
the  benefit  of  the  citizens  of  the  town.  As  it  is  necessary 
to  equip  the  library  with  books  and  maintain  it  properly  by 
taxation,  it  is  proposed  to  make  this  a  county  library,  and  thus 
30,000  people  will  share  in  the  benefits  as  well  as  help  to 
maintain  it,  making  the  cost  for  all  tax-payers  in  the  county 
nominal.  We  understand,  however,  there  is  no  present  law 
to  authorize  the  county  to  accept  such  gifts  and  to  provide 
for  their  maintenance.  To  meet  the  above  requirements  and 
for  the  benefit  of  our  people  in  the  rural  districts  throughout 
the  state,  a  bill  is  about  to  be  presented  to  the  legislature, 
authorizing  county  commissioners  to  receive  on  behalf  of  the 
public  such  bequests  and  to  make  suitable  provisions  for  their 
maintenance. 

THE  BILL 

"  To  supplement  Section  891  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  Ohio,  so  as 
to  provide  for  the  acceptance  of  Bequests,  Donations,  and 
Gifts  for  Public  Libraries,  and  to  Equip  and  Maintain  the 
same. 

"  Section  i.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  Ohio,  that  Section  891,  of  the  Revised  Statutes  of  Ohio, 
be  supplemented  so  as  to  read  as  follows: 

"  Section  891  (a).  The  Commissioners  may  receive  a  bequest, 
donation,  or  gift  of  a  building,  or  property  wherewith  to  con- 
struct a  building  for  a  County  Public  Library  in  the  county-seat 
of  the  county;  and  may  enter  into  an  agreement  on  behalf  of  the 
county  to  provide  and  maintain  a  Public  Library  therein.  Any 
county  accepting  such  bequest,  donation  or  gift  shall  be  bound  to 
faithfully  carry  out  the  agreement  so  made  to  provide  and  main- 
tain such  Library. 

"  Section  2.  The  Commissioners  of  any  such  county  are  hereby 
authorized,  at  the  March  or  June  session  each  year,  to  levy  a  tax 
of  not  exceeding  one  mill  on  each  dollar  of  taxable  property  of 
such  county,  and  the  fund  derived  from  such  levy  shall  constitute 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAW  OF  OHIO  25 

a  special  fund  to  be  known  as  Library  Fund,  and  shall  be  used  for 
no  purpose  other  than  is  contemplated  in  this  section. 

"  Section  3.     This  act  shall  take  effect  and  be  in  force  from 
and  after  its  passage."  * 

As  already  noted,  the  foregoing  article  appeared  in  the 
Commercial-Tribune,  of  Cincinnati,  under  date  of  February 
13,  1898,  as  well  as  in  other  well-known  city  daily  papers 
of  the  state  about  the  same  time.  It  is  given  to  show  that 
Mr,  Brumback's  idea  of  establishing  a  county  library  was 
pretty  well  known  over  the  state  before  the  passage  of  the 
law  relative  to  the  same  and  that  the  Cincinnati  Library 
Board  may  have  received  the  inspiration  from  this  article 
that  led  to  their  drafting  a  county  library  measure  which, 
because  of  its  provisions,  applied  to  only  two  of  the  eighty- 
eight  counties  of  the  state  —  Cuyahoga  and  Hamilton  — 
and  which  was  presented  to  the  Ohio  Legislature  after  the 
Van  Wert  Bill  had  been  introduced.  The  general  Van 
Wert  law  was  passed  a  few  days  later  (Apr.  26,  1898) 
than  the  special  Cincinnati  law  (Apr.  21,  1898),  although 
it  was  introduced  earlier,  for  the  reason  that  considerable 
effort  on  the  part  of  the  Brumback  heirs  was  required  to 
secure  its  passage,  since  it  applied  to  the  whole  state. 

There  was  some  opposition  to  taxing  a  county  for  county 
library  purposes,  even  in  Van  Wert  County.  Pending  the 
acceptance  of  the  proposition  of  the  Brumback  heirs  several 
editorials  appeared  in  two  Van  Wert  County  papers  in 
opposition  to  a  county  library  supported  by  a  county  tax. 
This  sentiment  was  inspired  by  individuals  in  the  county, 
far-removed  from  the  county-seat,  who  felt  that  they  should 
not  be  obligated  to  contribute  to  the  maintenance  of  a  county 
library  distantly  located.  But  before  the  building  was 
completed  and  the  library  opened  this  opposition  had 
disappeared  and  has  never  once  reappeared. 

*  Cincinnati  Commercial-Tribune,  Feb.  13,  1898.  This  article  also 
appeared  in  the  Toledo  Blade,  Feb.  12,  1898,  and  in  The  Ohio  State 
Journal,  Columbus,  Feb.  13,  1898. 


26  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

The  following  indicates  the  discussion  upon  this  subject: 

LIBRARY     BEQUEST CALLS     OUT     SOME     UNJUST     NEWSPAPER 

CRITICISM 

An  offer  of  a  bequest,  magnificent  and  beneficial,  by  the 
late  J.  S.  Brumback,  has  called  out  newspaper  criticism,  which 
is  unjust  and  misleading,  and  is  made  in  the  interest  of  a 
class  who  Oppose  all  public  improvements.  The  Ft.  Wayne 
(Indiana)  Gazette,  basing  its  expression  of  opinion  on  infor- 
mation of  this  kind,  says: 

"  Van  Wert,  having  received  a  legacy  for  a  new  library  build- 
ing, now  wants  the  county  to  furnish  the  books.  There  is  nothing 
small  about  Van  Wert.  When  they  get  their  books,  if  they  will 
send  them  over  to  Fort  Wayne,  we  will  try  to  furnish  readers." 

There  is  nothing  small  about  Van  Wert,  it  is  admitted,  but 
it  can  be  proved  that  there  is  something  small  about  such 
items  as  the  above. 

The  Brimiback  Library  legacy  has  not  been  accepted,  but 
is  offered,  a  free  gift,  to  the  county.  The  building  is  to  be 
substantially  built,  of  stone,  at  a  cost  of  about  $50,000,  in  a 
park  which  was  a  free  gift  by  another  public-spirited  citizen, 
and  which  is  worth  in  money  more  than  the  proposed  library. 
Here  are  donations,  aggregating  more  than  $100,000  in  value, 
which  the  public  can  have  by  merely  providing  for  the  proper 
care  of  the  property. 

The  benefits  of  this  magnificent  gift  are  tendered  to  all  the 
people  of  Van  Wert  County,  on  easy  terms.  Here  will  be 
deposited  a  library  for  all  the  people,  in  which  will  be  assem- 
bled books  of  reference  of  various  kinds,  so  often  needed  by 
but  not  of  easy  access  to  a  large  class  of  young  men  and 
women  seeking  educational  and  literary  benefits.  The  young 
men  and  women  in  the  rural  districts  spend  most  of  their  even- 
ings with  books  and  papers.  They  do  not  loiter  in  the  corner 
grocery,  the  gilded  saloon  or  any  other  public  resort.  They  are 
becoming  town  school  teachers  and  substantial,  reliable  busi- 
ness men.  The  benefits  of  the  library  are  offered  to  them  and 
others  as  a  gift,  on  condition  that  the  county  take  care  of  the 
building.  There  are,  however,  a  lot  of  close-fisted  people  who 
will  not  take  a  gift  on  these  easy  terms.  They  are  standing  in 
the  pathway  of  every  worthy  country  boy  and  girl  who  is  seek- 
ing an  education. 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAW  OF  OHIO  27 

The  town  of  Van  Wert  will  accept  the  gift  in  the  event  the 
county  declines  it.  The  town  has  a  good  library,  worth  a  large 
sum  of  money,  provided  for  and  open  to  the  public  at  all  times, 
through  the  generosity  of  our  citizens.  This  library  will  be 
donated  to  the  Brumback  Library  Trustees  when  they  are 
ready  to  receive  it.  Van  Wert  does  not  ask  anybody  to  buy  its 
books,  but  on  the  other  hand  is  well  supplied  with  books  of  its 
own  and  is  ready  to  loan  them  and  buy  more  for  the  people. 

There  are  towns  in  this  county  which  have  no  libraries  and 
never  will  have,  and  they  are  opposed  to  the  one  now  offered 
on  such  easy  terms.  They  inspire  such  items  as  the  above  by 
their  useless  and  unreasonable  faultfinding. —  Van  Wert  Bulle- 
tin, Feb.  15,  1898. 

THE  PROPOSED  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  —  A  COSTLY  AND  HANDSOME 
STRUCTURE  OF  WHICH   ANY   COUNTY   MIGHT   FEEL   PROUD 

We  are  delighted  with  the  privilege  of  presenting  to  our 
readers  pictures  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback  and  the  magnifi- 
cent proposed  library  building  which  he  generously  offered 
to  the  county.  With  a  few  exceptions  the  citizens  all  over  the 
county  are  unanimous  in  wanting  to  accept  this  enduring  gift. 
It  would  cost  no  more  to  maintain  a  library  for  the  entire 
county  than  for  the  town  alone.  The  general  tax  for  such  a 
purpose  would  not  exceed  on  the  average  two-tenths  of  a  mill, 
and  from  an  educational  standpoint  the  advantages  to  be 
derived  are  inestimable. 

There  is  no  sound  reason  why  the  Legislature  should  not 
pass  the  bill  already  prepared,  which  simply  provides  that 
county  commissioners  may  accept  such  bequests  on  behalf  of 
the  public  and  make  suitable  provisions  for  their  maintenance. 
The  effect  of  the  law  is  not  compulsory,  but  merely  to  afford 
an  opportunity.  The  heirs  are  all  anxious  that  the  necessary 
arrangements  be  made,  so  that  the  library  may  be  erected  this 
spring. —  Van  Wert  Times,  Feb.  18,  1898. 

Some  of  the  editors  in  the  county  outside  of  the  city  of  Van 
Wert  appear  to  be  entertaining  adverse  opinions  in  the  matter 
of  all  the  tax-payers  in  the  county  bearing  their  share  of  the 
expense  of  maintaining  a  public  library.  The  value  of  good 
books  to  any  family  or  individual  is  not,  and  cannot  be,  esti- 
mated in  dollars  and  cents ;  therefore,  our  country  pencil  push- 
ers should  deem  it  a  great  benefit  as  well  as  pleasure  (and 


28  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

every  fair-minded  person  will  consider  it  so),  to  have  the 
privilege  of  contributing  a  few  shekels  each  year  to  assist  in 
promoting  a  higher  state  of  culture;  for  culture  brings  refine- 
ment, and  both  together  make  a  better  citizenship.  According 
to  the  proposition  the  books  in  the  proposed  library  (and  this 
will  include  the  1800  books  already  in  the  present  Van  Wert 
library)  will  be  free  to  all  tax-payers,  at  a  trifling  cost.  But 
few  heads  of  families  could  afford  to  purchase  such  an  array 
of  books  as  are  already  the  property  of  the  Van  Wert  Library 
Association ;  indeed  if  the  ordinary  tax-payers  were  compelled 
to  purchase  a  small  portion  of  them  they  would  have  to  spend 
several  hundred  dollars.  Then,  again,  one  of  the  greatest 
things  to  be  considered  is  that,  by  paying  this  trifling  sum  each 
year,  we  put  ourselves  in  a  position  to  help  those  who  are  not 
able  to  help  themselves,  and  this  means  the  poor  not  only  of 
Van  Wert  town,  but  also  of  the  entire  county.  The  jails  are 
usually  filled  with  the  illiterate;  hence,  if  a  higher  state  of 
culture  existed,  it  would  likely  in  time  bring  about  a  better 
state  of  aflfairs,  which  would  have  a  tendency  to  decrease  the 
number  of  "  jail  birds,"  thus  saving  enough  to  meet  the  entire 
expense  of  operating  the  library.  It  is,  indeed,  a  rare  occur- 
rence that  a  donation  of  this  magnitude  is  left  for  such  a  noble 
purpose,  to  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  entire  county,  if  the 
people  feel  disposed  to  accept  of  it. 

Whether  or  not  the  country  people  will  avail  themselves  of 
the  privilege  of  sharing  in  the  use  of  the  building  and  library 
by  paying  their  share  for  the  benefits,  remains  to  be  seen,  but 
we  are  sure  Van  Wert  town-people  will  gladly  accept  the 
bequest  and  supply  the  building  with  a  good  library.  Our 
opinion  is,  however,  that  the  country  people,  as  a  whole,  will 
deem  it  a  great  privilege,  and  that  there  will  not  be  a  dis- 
senting voice  when  the  proper  time  to  act  comes,  for  it  is 
simply  a  question  of  whether  or  not  our  country  people  want 
to  pay  their  share  to  maintain  the  library,  providing  they  share 
in  its  benefits,  and  even  if  they  accept  of  the  generous  offer 
Van  Wert  town-people  will  be  paying  more  in  proportion  than 
the  people  living  outside  the  corporate  limits,  for  the  simple 
reason  that  town  property  is  assessed  almost  a  third  higher 
than  country  property. —  Van  Wert  Republican,  Feb.  24,  1898. 

The  Ohio  City  News  is  very  much  opposed  to  taxing  the 
county   for   library   purposes.    It  makes   a   great   difference 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAW  OF  OHIO  29 

whether  a  man  can  read  or  not.    But,  T ,  the  library  will 

contain  some  picture  books,  too. —  Van  Wert  Democrat,  Feb. 
24,  1898. 

The  state  of  Ohio  can  boast  of  no  handsomer  public  library 
building  than  the  proposed  edifice  which  Van  Wert  hopes  to 
erect  this  coming  spring.  The  will  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback 
makes  provision  for  the  institution,  and  since  the  legacy  is 
ample  it  will  no  doubt  be  accepted  with  the  gratitude  befitting 
so  generous  a  donation.  The  new  building  will  be  second  to 
none  in  the  state,  considering  size. —  Convoy  (Van  Wert 
County)  Crescent,  Feb.  25,  1898. 

POMONA  GRANGE  —  AN  INTERESTING  MEETING  WITH  LARGE 
ATTENDANCE THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  PROPOSITION  DIS- 
CUSSED AND  APPROVED  BY  UNANIMOUS  VOTE 

The  regular  meeting  of  the  Van  Wert  County  Pomona 
Grange  was  held  Thursday,  March  31.  Eleven  members  of 
Ridge  Grange  received  the  fifth  degree  in  the  forenoon.  The 
afternoon  session  was  an  open  meeting.  The  program  was 
furnished  by  Ridge  Grange. 

First  was  a  song,  "  America,"  followed  by  an  address  by 
J.  S.  Stuckey. 

Song,  "  Jolly  Old  Farmer." 

Declamation,  by  Frances  Gilliland,  "  John  Burns  at  Gettys- 
burg." 

Paper  by  William  Johnson,  "  Little  Things." 

Song,  "  Serenade." 

Paper  by  Ira  Gilliland,  "  Contentment." 

Topical  song,  "Join  the  Grange,"  by  Lucy  Stuckey,  Louie 
Palmer  and  Frank  Palmer. 

Declamation  by  Mamie  Palmer. 

Anthem,  "  How  Beautiful  is  Zion." 

Reading  by  E.  S.  Stuckey,  "  How  and  What  to  Read." 

Quartette,  "  Battle  Cry  of  Freedom." 

The  program  was  well  prepared  and  very  interesting. 

The  topic,  "  The  Brumback  Library,"  was  next  considered. 
The  discussion  occupied  nearly  an  hour  and  was  participated 
in  by  a  large  number  of  members.  Nearly  all  the  speakers 
approved  of  the  county  accepting  the  proposition  and  levying 
a  tax  to  support  the  proposed  library.    None  of  the  speakers 


30  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

opposed  the  plan  unconditionally:  a  few  were  waiting  for 
more  information  as  to  plan,  cost,  etc.  A  motion  was  made 
and  recorded  that  it  was  the  sense  of  the  meeting  that  we 
approve  of  the  acceptance  of  the  proposition.  The  vote  on 
the  motion  was,  yeas  53,  nays  5. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  March 
31,  1898. 

The  action  of  the  Pomona  Grange  in  regard  to  the  B rum- 
back  Library  is  significant.  We  believe  that  a  majority  of 
the  farmers  are  in  favor  of  making  the  library  a  county 
affair,  especially  those  having  pikes  to  Van  Wert,  and  why 
shouldn't  they  be?  It  will  be  a  benefit  to  the  farmer  and 
his  family.  The  long  winter  evenings  can  be  spent  with 
pleasure  as  well  as  with  profit  following  a  course  of  instruc- 
tive reading. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin  (Venedocia  Items),  April 
8,  1898. 

That  county  library  —  let  us  have  it  —  and  let  town  and 
country  people  share  alike  in  the  expense  and  benefits,  and 
no  one  will  be  hurt.  What  an  uplift  it  would  be  to  our  noble 
county  and  an  honor  to  the  memory  of  a  worthy  citizen. — 
Van  Wert  Bulletin  (Jennings  Township  Items),  April  8,  1898. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE    CONTRACT 

THE  BRUMBACK  MEMORIAL  LIBRARY  DULY  OFFERED  THE  PEOPLE 

OF     VAN     WERT     COUNTY COPY     OF     CONDITIONS     UPON 

WHICH  THIS  GREAT  GIFT  IS  MADE 

"C^OR  several  months  those  who  have  the  welfare  of  Van 
Wert  County  at  heart  have  been  inquiring  what  was 
being  done  toward  accepting  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback's  mag- 
nificent gift  to  the  county  of  a  fine  library  building.  Owing 
to  the  absence  of  Hon.  O.  S.  Brumback  in  the  West,  the 
matter  has  been  delayed  somewhat,  and  nothing  could  be 
done  until  his  return.  The  heirs  have  now  submitted  to 
the  proper  authorities  a  contract,  upon  the  signing  of  which, 
they  will  at  once  proceed  to  erect  and  furnish  a  public  library 
building  of  which  any  county  in  the  state  could  well  feel 
proud.  The  heirs  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback,  desiring  that 
this  liberal  gift  might  prove  a  benefit  to  all  the  residents  of 
the  county,  have  wisely  determined  to  offer  it  to  the  entire 
county.  Let  it  be  distinctly  understood  that  the  city  of  Van 
Wert  has  never  had  the  ofifer  of  this  magnificent  gift,  does 
not  now,  and  we  fear  never  will,  have,  except  as  it  is  a 
part  of  the  county.  The  heirs  have  concluded  to  oflFer  it  to 
30,000  people  and  not  to  limit  its  benefits  to  8,000  people. 

The  Van  Wert  Library  Association  stands  ready  to  donate 
its  little  library  of  nearly  2000  volumes,  as  well  as  other 
properties,  as  a  starter  for  a  good  county  library.  We  under- 
stand, if  the  ofifer  is  accepted  and  the  building  erected,  that 
local  librarians  will  be  appointed  in  every  district  in  the 
county  and  that  the  rules  and  regulations  will  be  made  such 
that  the  people  living  in  the  remotest  parts  of  the  county  may 
borrow  just  as  many  books  to  read  at  their  homes  as  those 
living  nearest  the  building. 

The  progressive  farmers  of  our  county  have  already,  at 
their    meetings,    expressed    their    willingness    to    accept    so 

31 


32  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

generous  a  gift  and  to  pay  their  mite  toward  its  proper  main- 
tenance. A  copy  of  the  contract  given  below  has  been  pre- 
sented to  the  Ladies'  Library  Association,  the  Board  of 
County  Commissioners  and  the  Common  Council  of  Van 
Wert.  There  is  no  reason  whatever  why  any  member  of 
these  bodies  should  hesitate  to  sign  the  contract  on  behalf  of 
the  people.  We  fear  this  may  be  the  last  opportunity  to 
accept  or  reject  a  proposition  from  the  Brumback  heirs,  so 
that  if  the  contract  is  not  signed  the  people  of  Van  Wert 
County  may  forever  lose  the  privilege  of  receiving  a  gift  that 
would  be  a  blessing  not  only  to  the  present  generation  but 
to  generations  yet  unborn.  We  look  for  prompt  action  to 
be  taken  in  the  matter,  and  it  is  a  settled  fact  that  all  who 
bend  their  efforts  to  secure  such  a  gift  for  Van  Wert  County 
will  be  forever  considered  benefactors  of  the  people  of  our 
county. —  Van  Wert  Republican,  July  28,  1898. 

"  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  July  16,  1898. 
"  To  the  Ladies'  Library  Association,  the  Board  of  County  Com- 
missioners of   Van  Wert   County,   Ohio,  and   the   Common 
Council  of  the  City  of  Van  Wert,  Ohio. 
"  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

"  To  carry  out  the  will  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback,  we  hand  you 
herewith  a  copy  of  a  contract  we  have  prepared  providing  for 
the  construction  of  a  Library  Building  in  the  Second  Ward  Park 
of  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  and  for  the  maintenance  therein  of  a  free 
public  library  for  the  benefit  of  the  citizens  of  Van  Wert  County, 
Ohio. 

"  We  have  endeavored  by  the  terms  of  the  contract  to  insure 
the  success  of  the  library  when  the  building  is  erected  in  accord- 
ance with  the  designs  which  Mr.  Brumback  had  prepared  for  it. 
"  We  request  that  your  respective  bodies  give  the  matter  your 
early  consideration  and  advise  us  if  the  terms  meet  your  approval. 
"  We  believe  such  a  library  will  prove  so  great  a  success  that 
other  counties  in  the  state  will  in  a  few  years  acquire  like  insti- 
tutions. 

"  Assuring  you  of  our  desire  to  facilitate  the  project  in  every 
reasonable  way,  we  remain 
Sincerely  yours, 

Ellen  P.  Brumback, 

Orville  S.  Brumback, 

David  L.  Brumback, 

EsTELLE  B.  Reed, 

Saida  M.  Brumback  [Mrs.  E.  I.  Antrim]," 


THE  CONTRACT  33 

AGREEMENT  * 

"  Whereas,  The  will  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback  provides  as 
follows : 

" '  Feeling  a  great  regard  for  my  fellow  townsmen  of  Van 
Wert,  Ohio,  and  affection  for  the  said  city  in  which  I  have  spent  so 
many  happy  years  of  my  life,  I  have  long  contemplated  a  gift  to 
them  of  a  library  building  as  a  token  of  my  affection  and  regard. 
In  that  behalf  I  have  had  plans  prepared  for  such  a  building,  but 
owing  to  the  condition  of  my  health  I  have  not  been  permitted  to 
enter  upon  its  construction.  It  is  my  will  and  desire  that  my  said 
dear  wife  and  children  expend  sufficient  of  my  estate  willed  to 
them,  in  items  one  and  two,  to  carry  out  my  wishes  known  to 
them,  by  the  erection  and  gift  of  a  library  building,  something 
after  the  plans  and  designs  I  have  had  prepared  for  that  purpose; 
provided,  and  this  item  is  on  the  express  condition,  that  my  said 
wife  and  children  can  make  arrangements  satisfactory  to  them 
with  the  said  city  of  Van  Wert,  or,  if  they  desire  and  think  best, 
with  Van  Wert  County,  for  a  location  for  said  building  and  the 
maintenance  of  the  library  to  be  placed  therein.' 

"  And  whereas,  the  heirs  of  the  estate  of  the  said  J.  S.  Brum- 
back are  unanimous  in  their  desire  to  fully  carry  out  his  wishes 
as  expressed  in  his  will ; 

"  And  whereas,  a  free  public  library  would  be  of  inestimable 
benefit  to  the  people  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  and  afford  to 
them,  their  children  and  descendants  most  valuable  privileges  and 
educational  advantages ; 

"  Now  THEREFORE,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  the  will  of 
the  said  J.  S.  Brumback,  to  establish  a  free  public  library  for  the 
people  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  and  to  provide  for  the  proper 
equipment  and  maintenance  thereof, 

"  It  is  agreed  by  and  between  Ellen  P.  Brumback,  Orville  S. 
Brumback,  David  L.  Brumback,  Estelle  B.  Reed  and  Saida  M. 
Brumback,  heirs  of  the  said  J.  S.  Brumback,  parties  of  the  first 
part;  and  H.  H.  Ludwig,  Peter  Knittle  and  H.  G.  Schumm, 
County  Commissioners  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  office,  parties  of  the  second  part ;  and  the  Ladies'  Library 
Association  of  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  party  of  the  third  part;  and  the 
City  of  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  party  of  the  fourth  part,  as  follows, 
to- wit : 

"  The  parties  of  the  first  part  do  covenant  and  agree  that  they 

♦Agreement  prepared  by  O.  S.  Brumback,  who  was  at  the  time 
president  of  the  Toledo,  Ohio,  Public  Library  Board. 


34  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

will  with  all  reasonable  dispatch  build  and  construct  a  stone 
library  building  in  the  Second  Ward  Park  of  the  city  of  Van 
Wert,  Ohio,  in  first-class  condition,  substantially  as  shown  in  the 
drawings  which  the  said  J.  S.  Brumback  has  made  therefor  in  his 
lifetime,  and  will  furnish  the  same  with  the  necessary  furniture 
and  heating  apparatus,  ready  for  use  for  the  library  to  be  placed 
therein,  as  hereinafter  provided. 

"  And  the  parties  of  the  first  part  further  agree  to  turn  over  and 
donate  on  behalf  of  the  said  J.  S.  Brumback's  estate  said  library 
building,  so  built  and  constructed,  to  the  county  of  Van  Wert, 
Ohio,  free  of  all  encumbrances  or  charges  thereon,  to  be  held  by 
said  county  and  used  for  library  and  educational  purposes  only. 

"  In  consideration  of  the  receipt  of  the  said  library  building  and 
the  donation  thereof  as  aforesaid  to  the  county  of  Van  Wert, 
Ohio, 

"  The  parties  of  the  second  part  do  covenant  and  agree  for  them- 
selves and  their  successors  in  office  that  the  said  Van  Wert  County 
will  forever  maintain  and  operate  in  said  building  a  free  public 
library  for  the  benefit  of  the  citizens  of  the  whole  county.  And 
in  that  behalf  do  promise  and  agree  that  the  Commissioners  of 
said  Van  Wert  County  will  each  year  at  their  March  or  June  ses- 
sion levy  a  tax  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  said  library  may  desig- 
nate, not  exceeding  one-half  a  mill  upon  each  dollar  of  taxable 
property  of  said  Van  Wert  County,  to  form  a  library  fund  with 
which  to  so  maintain  and  operate  said  library.  Said  library  fund 
so  to  be  raised  by  said  tax  shall  constitute  a  special  fund  in  the 
hands  of  the  treasurer  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  to  be  drawn 
upon  only  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  said  library  as  hereinafter 
provided. 

"  Said  parties  of  the  second  part  further  covenant  and  agree 
that  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part  shall  have  full  right  and 
authority  to  enter  upon  the  said  Second  Ward  Park  in  the  city  of 
Van  Wert,  and  there  construct  said  building  in  compliance  with  the 
plans  and  directions  of  the  architect  thereof  with  the  right  to 
occupy,  grade,  improve  and  embellish  said  park  as  may  be  directed 
by  the  architect  of  said  building. 

"  The  parties  of  the  third  part  (a  duly  incorporated  association 
under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Ohio),  in  consideration  of  the  con- 
struction and  donation  of  said  library  building  by  the  parties  of 
the  first  part,  do  covenant  and  agree  that  they  will  turn  over  and 
donate  to  the  free  public  library  to  be  placed  in  said  building  all 
the  books,  furniture,  money  or  other  personal  property  of  said 


THE  CONTRACT  35 

association,  to  be  and  become  the  property  of  the  said  County 
Library. 

"  And  the  party  of  the  fourth  part  (a  duly  incorporated  village, 
and  county-seat  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio),  in  consideration  of 
the  construction  and  donation  of  the  said  library  building  by  the 
parties  of  the  first  part,  does  covenant  and  agree  that  the  said 
parties  of  the  first  part  shall  have  full  permission  to  enter  upon 
the  said  Second  Ward  Park  in  the  city  of  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  there 
to  construct  said  building,  and  to  occupy,  grade,  improve  and 
embellish  said  park  as  may  be  directed  by  the  architect  of  said 
building. 

"  It  is  further  mutually  covenanted  and  agreed  by  and  between 
all  the  parties  hereto,  that  the  said  County  Library  herein  provided 
for  shall  be  called  The  Brum  back  Library.  It  shall  be  managed 
and  controlled  by  a  non-partisan  board  of  seven  trustees,  who 
shall  be  appointed  for  a  term  of  three  years,  and  until  their  suc- 
cessors are  duly  appointed,  as  follows,  to-wit :  two  to  be  appointed 
by  the  parties  of  the  first  part  or  their  descendants;  three  to  be 
appointed  by  the  parties  of  the  second  part  or  their  successors, 
and  two  to  be  appointed  by  the  party  of  the  third  part. 

"Provided,  that  the  first  appointees  shall  hold  office  from  the 
first  day  of  February,  1899,  as  follows,  to-wit: 

"  One  of  those  to  be  appointed  by  the  parties  of  the  first  part  to 
hold  office  for  one  year,  and  one  for  three  years.  One  of  those 
to  be  appointed  by  the  parties  of  the  second  part  or  their  successors 
to  hold  office  for  one  year,  one  for  two  years  and  one  for  three 
years.  One  of  those  to  be  appointed  by  the  party  of  the  third 
part  to  hold  office  for  one  year,  and  one  for  two  years. 

"  In  case  the  parties  of  the  first  part  or  the  parties  of  the  third 
part  shall  fail  for  a  period  of  ninety  days  to  make  their  respective 
appointments  of  trustees  from  time  to  time,  then  the  Common 
Council  of  the  party  of  the  fourth  part  shall  make  such  appoint- 
ments. 

"  The  said  trustees  shall  duly  qualify  by  taking  an  oath  of  office 
to  faithfully  fulfill  all  the  duties  of  their  positions  to  the  best  of 
their  knowledge  and  ability  during  their  respective  terms  of  office. 
They  shall  organize  by  the  election  of  a  president,  vice-president 
and  secretary,  who  shall  hold  their  offices  for  one  year  and  until 
their  successors  are  elected.  Said  officers  shall  be  elected  by 
ballot  at  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  Board  after  the  first  day 
of  February  in  each  year,  a  majority  of  the  whole  Board  being 
required  to  elect. 


36  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

"  The  president  of  the  said  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  president 
of  the  library,  and  it  shall  be  his  duty  as  such  to  preside  at  all 
meetings  of  the  Board,  appoint  all  standing  committees,  and 
otherwise  act  as  the  executive  head  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and 
perform  such  other  duties  as  usually  pertain  to  the  office. 

"  The  vice-president,  in  the  absence  of  the  president,  shall  per- 
form his  duties,  and  in  case  of  death,  removal  or  resignation  shall 
perform  the  duties  of  the  president  until  a  president  is  elected  to 
serve  for  the  unexpired  time. 

"  The  secretary  shall  keep  accurate  minutes  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  together  with  accurate  accounts  of  all 
receipts  and  expenditures  of  money  for  and  on  behalf  of  the 
library.  He  shall  pay  over  to  the  county  treasurer  of  Van  Wert 
County,  each  month,  for  the  benefit  of  the  library  fund,  all  moneys 
received  by  the  library,  and  shall  take  and  keep  on  file  for  six  years 
vouchers  for  all  moneys  expended.  He  shall  render  a  complete 
and  accurate  financial  statement  of  the  library  as  shown  by  his 
books  to  the  parties  of  the  second  part  on  or  before  the  end  of 
each  fiscal  year,  to-wit:  the  first  day  of  February  in  each  year; 
and  perform  such  other  duties  as  usually  pertain  to  the  office. 

"  All  warrants  on  the  county  treasurer  of  Van  Wert  County  for 
payment  of  moneys  out  of  the  special  library  fund  shall  only  be 
issued  upon  an  aye  and  nay  vote  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  entered 
upon  the  minutes  and  signed  by  the  president  of  the  Board  and 
countersigned  by  the  secretary.  Four  trustees  shall  constitute  a 
quorum  of  the  Board,  but  no  appropriation  shall  be  made  or 
indebtedness  incurred  to  an  amount  exceeding  $ioo,  without  the 
concurring  vote  of  a  majority  of  all  members  of  the  Board. 

"  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  employ  a  librarian  and  other 
necessary  persons  to  properly  keep  and  carry  on  said  library  and 
library  building,  and  shall  fix  their  reasonable  compensation.  The 
term  of  office  of  all  regular  employees  shall  expire  on  the  first  day 
of  March  each  year,  and  they  shall  be  subject  to  removal  at  any 
time  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

"  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  prescribe  such  further  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  direction  and  operation  of  the  library  as  they 
may  deem  advisable. 

"  In  evidence  whereof  witness  the  signatures  of  each  and 
every  one  of  the  parties  hereto  at  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  this  i6th  day  of 
July,  A.  D.,  1898. 

Ellen  P.  Brumback,  David  L.  Brumback, 

Orville  S.  Brumback,  Estelle  B.  Reed, 

Saida  M.  Brumback  [Mrs.  E.  I.  Antrim]." 


THE  CONTRACT  37 

A  GIFT  ACCEPTED — THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  BUILDING  WILL 
BE  ERECTED THE  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  GIVE  UNANI- 
MOUS CONSENT  FOR  ITS  MAINTENANCE 

At  the  office  of  the  Van  Wert  County  Commissioners,  on 
Saturday  last,  one  of  the  most  important  meetings  ever  held 
in  this  county  took  place,  and  its  acts  have  passed  into  history. 
The  proceedings  will  adorn  a  bright  page.  They  secure  to 
this  county  an  educational  distinction  possessed  by  no  other 
county  in  the  prosperous  Northwest. 

The  County  Commissioners,  by  their  act,  have  honored 
themselves  and  have  made  a  record  to  which  they  can  point 
with  pride  in  all  time  to  come  and  which  will  grow  in  favor 
as  the  years  pass.  By  voting  unanimously  to  accept  the  prop- 
osition of  the  heirs  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback  they  have 
secured  for  Van  Wert  County  the  most  valuable  gift  ever 
bestowed  upon  the  citizens  of  the  county,  a  gift  which  will 
remain  for  all  time  a  monument  to  the  generosity  of  the 
donor,  an  embellishment  to  our  magnificent  park  and  a  lasting 
benefit  to  every  citizen  of  the  county. 

Many  representative  citizens  from  all  parts  of  the  county 
were  present  at  this  meeting  of  the  County  Commissioners 
and  they  were  almost  unanimously  in  favor  of  the  proposition 
submitted  by  the  heirs  of  the  Brumback  estate.  Many  school 
teachers  spoke  and  urged  the  County  Commissioners,  in  the 
interest  of  education,  to  vote  yes.  Farmers  from  all  parts 
of  the  county  spoke  in  favor  of  the  library.  The  opposition, 
as  a  rule,  comes  from  persons  who  are  misinformed  and 
believe  that  Van  Wert  County  is  asked  to  "  build  a  library  for 
the  town  of  Van  Wert." 

The  following  is  a  record  of  the  journal  of  the  commis- 
sioners of  Van  Wert  County: 

"Ofi&ce  of  County  Commissioners, 
"  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio. 
"This  30th  day  of  July,  1898,  the  Board  of  County  Commis- 
sioners of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  being  in  special  session, 
present,  H.  H.  Ludwig,  Peter  Knittle  and  H.  G.  Schumm,  County 
Commissioners,  and  T.  M.  Berry,  auditor  of  Van  Wert  County  and 
clerk  of  said  Board,  considered  the  question  of  accepting  or  reject- 
ing the  proposition  of  the  heirs  of  a  late  esteemed  fellow  citizen, 
J.  S.  Brumback,  to  build  and  equip  a  Public  Library  Building 
ready    for    occupancy    and    books    in    Van    Wert,    Ohio,    which 


38  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

proposition  and  the  contract  to  carry  out  the  intention  of  all 
parties  interested  therein  are  as  follows:  [Here  appears  a  copy 
of  the  contract.] 

" '  I  move  [motion  made  by  Peter  Knittle  and  seconded  by 
H.  G.  Schumm]  that  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners  of  Van 
Wert  County,  Ohio,  accept  the  proposition  of  the  heirs  of  the 
late  J.  S.  Brumback  for  the  erection  of  a  Public  Library  Building 
at  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  and  that  this  Board  sign  the  contract  filed 
therewith  to  bind  the  county  of  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  to  provide  the 
money  to  maintain  and  operate  the  same  and  otherwise  to  carry 
out  the  provisions  of  said  contract.'  The  Board  having  carefully 
examined  said  proposition  and  contract,  and  having  heard  the 
expressions  of  many  tax-payers  thereon  and  being  fully  advised 
in  the  premises,  the  president  put  said  motion  and  ordered  the 
roll  called  for  a  viva  voce  vote,  and  said  Commissioners  voted 
thereon  as  follows:  H.  H.  Ludwig  voted  aye,  Peter  Knittle  voted 
aye,  H.  G.  Schumm  voted  aye.  The  president  of  said  Board 
declared  said  motion  carried.  '  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  said 
Board  of  County  Commissioners  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  sign 
said  contract  and  bind  said  county  to  carry  out  the  conditions 
imposed  upon  it  and  to  accept  the  benefits  to  be  derived  there- 
from and  the  same  is  accordingly  done.' " —  Van  Wert  Bulletin 
Aug.  I,  1898. 

The  public  act  of  the  County  Commissioners,  accepting 
the  magnificent  Brumback  County  Memorial  Library  Build- 
ing, deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice.  The  matter  has 
been  before  the  people  for  several  months  and  their  almost 
universal  verdict  was  that  the  gift  should  be  gratefully  accept- 
ed without  delay.  It  was  a  gift  that  could  not  be  estimated 
in  dollars  and  cents.  The  shelves  and  archives  of  the  library 
will  be  filled  with  the  choicest  of  literature  to  which  every 
resident  of  the  county  will  have  free  access.  This  privilege 
will  in  time  raise  the  already  high  standard  of  intelligence  of 
our  county  people.  The  act  of  the  Commissioners  is  indeed 
commendable  and  reflects  great  credit  on  their  good  judgment 
for  the  future  welfare  of  Van  Wert  County. 

The  people  are  universally  pleased  to  learn  that  the  County 
Commissioners  have  signed  the  contract  that  will  assure  Van 
Wert  county  a  magnificent  gift  — THE  BRLTVEBACK 
LIBRARY.—  Van  Wert  Republican,  Aug.  4,  1898. 


THE  CONTRACT  39 

We  noticed  in  last  week's  issue  of  the  Republican  a  pro- 
position made  by  the  Brumback  heirs  offering  the  county  a 
fine  library  building.  Our  people  are  much  pleased  to  learn 
that  the  commissioners  have  accepted  the  same. —  (Union 
Township  Items)  Van  Wert  Republican. 

Now,  Editor will  be  compelled  to  cut  down  his  cigar 

account,  and  cannot  have  the  pleasure  of  burning  so  much 
money  in  the  curling  smoke  of  a  fine  cigar.  Poor  fellow, 
is  it  any  wonder  that  he  vigorously  kicks  every  possible  chance 
he  has?  He  does  not  want  to  give  his  children,  in  common 
with  other  children  in  the  county,  the  chance  to  see  and  peruse 
the  best  books  published,  for  it  will  cost  him  the  enormous 
sum  of  about  forty  cents  a  year,  and  that 's  outrageous,  why 

it  is  simply  awful.    Then,  there  is  Brother ,  he  too  will 

be  charged,  bye  and  bye,  a  few  cents  more  taxes  every  year, 
to  enable  30,000  people  in  Van  Wert  County  to  have  free 
access  to  a  treasury  filled  with  the  cream  of  thought  of  the 
ablest  men  and  women  of  the  past  and  present.  It 's  too 
much  of  a  burden  for  these  two  men.  Someone  should  pass 
around  the  collection  basket  to  help  them  pay  their  enormous 
library  tax  when  it  becomes  due  a  year  hence. —  Van  Wert 
Republican. 

The  action  of  the  commissioners  will  be  endorsed  especially 
by  the  farmers  and  their  families.  All  obstacles  now  being 
removed,  work  on  the  structure  need  not  be  necessarily 
delayed. —  Van  Wert  Democrat,  Aug.  4,  1898. 

BRUMBACK   LIBRARY   ACCEPTED' — BRUMBACK    HEIRS   ANNOUNCE 
THAT    WORK    WILL    BE    COMMENCED    IMMEDIATELY 

The  County  Commissioners'  Office  was  the  scene  last  Sat- 
urday afternoon  of  an  unusual  meeting.  It  was  a  meeting 
of  public-spirited  and  influential  citizens  from  all  parts  of 
the  county,  invited  by  the  Board  to  present  arguments  either 
for  or  against  the  proposition  to  accept  the  Brumback  Library 
on  the  terms  formulated  by  the  heirs.  Those  who  spoke  were 
unanimously  in  favor  of  the  county  accepting  the  gift  and 
making  all  the  necessary  provisions  for  its  proper  and  perman- 
ent maintenance.  Not  only  were  many  school  teachers  there, 
but  representative  farmers  who  have  no  selfish  or  personal 
interest  in  the  matter,  except  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the 


40  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

whole  county.  The  Commissioners  were  informed  that  the 
question  had  been  submitted  to  a  vote  at  a  meeting  of  Pomona 
Grange  last  week  and  that  out  of  fifty-eight  votes  cast,  fifty- 
three  were  yes  and  only  five  no.  This,  it  was  urged,  shows 
the  attitude  of  the  leading  farmers.  They  understand  that 
the  benefits  to  be  derived  are  not  local  but  general,  and  that 
people  in  the  county  will  have  exactly  the  same  advantages  as 
residents  of  the  city. 

The  library  will  furnish  books  for  all,  valuable  not  alone 
for  the  present  day  but  for  future  generations.  It  will  be  a 
great  help  to  students  and  supplement  the  work  of  our  public 
school  system. 

To  support  this  magnificent  institution  will  require  but  a 
mite  from  each  individual  tax-payer.  No  one  complains  of 
being  taxed  to  support  the  public  schools,  and  none  will 
refuse  when  asked  to  contribute  an  insignificant  sum  each 
year  to  keep  up  a  big  library  and  in  that  way  promote  the 
efficiency  of  the  schools.  The  railroads  will  pay  one-fifth  of  all 
the  tax,  Van  Wert  City  will  pay  another  fifth,  so  that  little 
over  one-half  will  fall  upon  the  entire  county  outside  of  this 
town.  Such  were  some  of  the  reasons  advanced  on  the  side 
of  the  county  accepting  the  library.  It  is  pleasant  to  have  it 
recorded  that  when  the  commissioners  said  they  were  ready 
to  hear  arguments  against  the  proposition  there  was  not  a 
voice  raised. —  Van  Wert  Times,  Aug.  5,  1898. 

A  worthy  gift  bestowed  upon  the  people  of  Van  Wert 
County :  The  Brumback  Memorial  Library,  Van  Wert,  Ohio. 
—  Convoy  Crescent  (Van  Wert  County),  Aug.  5,  1898. 

Hurrah  for  the  Brumback  Library. —  Van  Wert  Times 
(Wide  Awake  Corners  Items),  Aug.  12,  1898. 

BRUMBACK     LIBRARY ARCHITECT     STINE,     OF     TOLEDO,     WILL 

HAVE    CHARGE    OF    THE    WORK 

The  heirs  of  the  Brumback  estate  are  busy  today  with  the 
preliminary  arrangements  for  the  erection  of  the  Brumback 
Library  Building. 

Hon.  O.  S.  Brumback,  of  Toledo,  is  here,  accompanied  by 
architect  D.  L.  Stine,  of  that  city,  and  they  are  holding  a 
meeting,  attended  by  the  Park  Commissioners  and  many  citi- 
zens. Their  first  business  is  to  locate  the  building  site.  A 
large  majority,  and  this  includes  the  architect,  favor  a  liberal 


THE  CONTRACT  41 

stretch  of  lawn  on  the  Main  Street  front.  This  will  add  to 
the  beauty  and  dignity  of  the  structure,  affording  a  relief 
for  the  terraces  which  are  to  encircle  it.  It  is  the  prevailing 
opinion  that  Van  Wert  already  has  too  many  handsome 
buildings  on  crowded  lots  —  hampered  by  their  surroundings 
and  without  a  stretch  of  lawn  to  relieve  the  eye  and  set  out 
in  bold  relief  their  fine  proportions. 

Architect  D.  L.  Stine  gained  a  wide  reputation  as  builder 
of  the  Toledo  county  court  house.  It  is  recognized  the  country 
over  as  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  practical  structures 
of  the  kind  in  the  West. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  Sept.  9,  1898. 

In  a  conversation  with  two  of  the  heirs,  a  representative  of 
the  Republican  learned  that  the  contract  for  the  foundation 
will  be  let  this  fall  so  that  work  on  the  building  proper  may  be 
commenced  early  in  the  spring.  The  surplus  dirt  taken  off 
Main  Street,  which  will  be  improved  in  the  spring,  will  be  used 
in  filling  up  approaches  and  grading  around  the  building, — 
Van  Wert  Republican,  Sept.  1898. 

IN   ALL   FUTURE  TIME  VAN  WERT  WILL   HONOR  THE   NAME  OF 

J.  S  BRUMBACK A  LESSON  WEALTHY  MEN  SHOULD  LEARN 

AND  PROFIT  BY 

Architect  D.  L,  Stine  is  working  on  the  plans  for  the  Brum- 
back  Memorial  Library  to  be  erected  in  Van  Wert.  What  a 
blessing  it  would  be  to  future  generations  if  there  were  more 
men  of  means  of  the  same  stamp  as  the  deceased  Van  Wert 
citizen  who,  in  building  a  public  library,  is  erecting  a  monu- 
ment to  himself  far  more  lasting  than  the  average  wealthy 
man  generally  constructs. —  Toledo  Courier,  Sept.  25,  1898. 

1899 

COUNTY  LIBRARY  BUILDING EDITORS  AND  GREATLY 

ALARMED  OVER  THE  FACT  THAT  THEY  WILL  HAVE  TO  HELP 
MAINTAIN  THE  SAME 

Ever  since  it  has  been  known  that  a  handsome  donation  of 
a  County  Library  building  costing  $40,000  or  more,  furnished 
and  equipped  with  over  2,000  books  to  start  with,  has  been 
made  to  the  county  of  Van  Wert  by  the  late  Hon.  J.  S.  Brum- 
back  on  the  one  condition  that  the  tax-payers  of  the  county 
through  their  representatives  pledge  themselves  to  maintain 


42  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

the  same  as  a  County  Library;  and  notwithstanding  the  fact 
that  the  press  of  the  county,  with  two  exceptions,  has  urged 
the  acceptance  of  the  generous  proposition  and  that  some  of 
the  heaviest  tax-payers  from  various  parts  of  the  county  have 
taken  it  upon  themselves  to  advise  the  Commissioners  to  enter 

into  a  contract  without  delay,  still  Editor and  Editor 

have  been  greatly  troubled  in  the  matter.     The  only  real  cry 

they  have  is  that  the  building  will  not  be  established  in 

or and  their  taxes  will  be  increased. 

The  additional  tax  to  the  average  tax-payer  to  be  levied  for 
library  purposes  will  hardly  be  felt.  In  accordance  with  the 
general  law  passed  by  the  last  legislature  it  cannot  exceed 
in  any  one  year  fifty  cents  on  a  $i,ooo  valuation,  and  after 
the  first  year  probably  about  two  and  one-half  cents  on  a  hun- 
dred will  be  sufficient. 

and are  both  on  the  tax  duplicate  for  a  little  less 

than  $750  real  and  personal,  so  together  they  will  be  called  upon 
to  pay  once  a  year  the  enormous  sum  of  thirty-seven  and  one- 
half  cents  in  order  to  enable  every  boy  and  girl  in  Van  Wert 
County  to  have  access  to  the  best  books  published,  an  opportun- 
ity to  visit  and  spend  a  part  of  their  early  days  with  the  great 
literary  men  of  the  past  and  present. 

Just  think  of  it,  is  it  not  awful?  The  County  Commission- 
ers listened  to  the  requests  of  those  who  pay  annually  into  the 
county  treasury  thousands  of  dollars  in  taxes,  and  never  con- 
sulted these  two  august  pencil  pushers. —  Van  Wert  Republi- 
can, Feb.  2,  1899. 

HIS  BURDEN WHY  A  VERY  BUSY  MAN  OPPOSES  TAXATION  FOR 

THE  SUPPORT  OF  THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY 

The  Brumback  Library,  finished  and  thoroughly  equipped, 
is  a  free  gift  to  Van  Wert  County.  The  county  has  accepted 
the  gift  and  in  return  has  agreed  to  pay  the  expense  of  man- 
aging and  operating  it.  This  is  a  mere  bagatelle.  To  meet 
this  obligation  a  tax  of  fifty  cents  on  each  thousand  dollars  of 
valuation  has  been  levied  in  this  county. 

This  tax  is  opposed  in  some  —  not  many  —  localities.  A 
few  object  to  a  tax  to  educate  the  masses.  One  of  the  busiest, 
noisiest  opponents  of  the  library  tax  is  a  small  politician  in 
one  of  the  villages  of  this  county.  He  never  saw  a  library, 
but  that  makes  no  difference,  he  is  opposed  to  libraries  on  gen- 
eral principles. 


o 

Pi 


THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY 


THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY 


THE  CONTRACT  43 

The  books  in  the  county  auditor's  office  show  that  this  man's 
library  tax  will  be  seven  and  one-half  cents  a  year.  This  is 
his  burden.  He  will  spend  all  his  idle  hours,  and  these  are 
many,  opposing  this  levy.  It  is  more  than  he  is  willing  to  pay 
for  books.  A  circus  is  cheap  at  fifty  cents,  but  a  library  is  an 
assault  on  our  liberties  at  seven  and  one-half  cents.  And  all 
this  money  appropriated  for  books  without  the  consent  of  the 
governed.  Has  an  American  citizen,  educated  in  the  free 
schools  of  his  country,  no  rights? 

Call  out  the  "  Hoss  Marines."  —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  Feb. 
i8,  1899. 

BRUMBACK   LIBRARY A   MAGNIFICENT   FIREPROOF  BUILDING 

PLANS    ENLARGED    AND    IMPROVED MANY    PLEASING    FEA- 
TURES   ADDED J.    S.    ZOOK    AWARDED    THE    CONTRACT    FOR 

THE  BUILDING 

The  heirs  of  the  estate  of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback  have  been 
holding  meetings  this  week  for  the  purpose  of  letting  con- 
tracts for  the  erection  of  the  Brumback  Library.  All  the  heirs 
live  in  Van  Wert,  with  the  exception  of  Hon.  O.  S.  Brum- 
back, of  Toledo,  and  he  has  been  here  all  week.  The  new 
plans,  which  are  an  improvement  on  those  made  some  time 
ago,  have  been  drawn  at  Toledo,  under  his  supervision  and 
with  his  advice.  The  heirs  are  not  sparing  time  or  expense  to 
make  the  building  a  credit  to  Van  Wert  County  as  the  first  to 
establish  a  county  library  and  worthy  of  him  in  whose  honor 
it  is  built, 

A  contract  for  erecting  the  building  proper  has  been  awarded 
to  Mr.  J.  S.  Zook  of  this  town,  and  this  is  a  guarantee  in 
advance  that  the  work  will  be  well  done.  Mr.  Zook's  contract 
does  not  include  tile  roofing,  steam  heating  and  ornamentation. 
Work  will  be  commenced  as  soon  as  the  weather  will  permit. 

A  gentleman  capable  of  judging  the  plans  says  the  building 
will  be  so  substantially  constructed  that  it  will  last  a  thousand 
years. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  March  30,  1899. 


CHAPTER  V 

THE  LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE 

AN    IMPORTANT    EVENT  —  THE    LAYING    OF    THE    CORNER-STONE 

FOR  THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY A  PROPOSITION  TO  ENTRUST 

THIS  CEREMONY  TO  THE  CARE  OF  VAN   W^ERT  LODGE  2l8,  F, 
&  A,   M. 

/^NE  of  the  most  important  events  in  the  history  of  Van 
Wert  County,  an  event  which  will  mark  material,  social 
and  educational  advancement,  will  be  the  laying  of  the  corner- 
stone of  the  Brumback  Library.  This  should  be  an  impres- 
sive ceremony  —  a  lesson  to  the  young,  an  evidence  of  the  wis- 
dom of  all  our  citizens.  It  has,  therefore,  been  requested  that 
the  ceremony  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  Van  Wert  Lodge  218, 
F.  and  A.  M.  The  time  suggested  is  the  Fourth  of  July,  when 
the  patriotism  of  all  the  people  is  given  full  sweep  —  when  all 
meet  unitedly  around  the  flag  of  our  country.  This  would  be  a 
fitting  observance  of  the  day,  for  a  high  purpose,  under  magnifi- 
cent leadership. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  May  22,  1899. 

CORNER-STONE    LAYING THIS    NOTABLE    CEREMONY    FOR    THE 

BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  TO  OCCUR  ON  TUESDAY,  JULY  l8 ALL 

SOCIETIES  IN  VAN  WERT  COUNTY  TO   PARTICIPATE 

The  time  is  set  for  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the 
Brumback  Library.  This  important  event  will  occur  on  Tues- 
day, July  i8th.  The  proceedings  will  be  conducted  by  the 
Masonic  fraternity  of  Van  Wert.  Grand  Master  Nelson  Wil- 
liams, of  Hamilton,  Ohio,  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
Masons  in  the  United  States,  will  preside  as  Master  of  Cere- 
monies, A  committee  of  ten  has  been  appointed  to  take 
charge  of  the  arrangements.  All  citizens  of  Van  Wert  County 
are  to  be  invited  to  be  present  and  assist  in  making  this  an 
occasion  worthy  of  this  magnificent  free  offering  to  the  educa- 
tional advancement  of  this  prosperous  county. —  Van  Wert 
Bulletin,  July  8,  1899. 

44 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  45 

A    COUNTY    DAY  —  CORNER-STONE    LAYING    OF    THE    BRUMBACK 
LIBRARY,  TUESDAY,  JULY  l8,  1899,  WILL  BE  A  GALA  DAY 

If  the  weather  is  fair,  next  Tuesday  will  be  a  great  day  in 
the  history  of  our  beautiful  city.  All  the  secret  orders  of  the 
county  have  been  asked  to  participate  in  a  great  parade,  which 
will  be  formed  at  one  o'clock,  and  most  of  them  already  have 
shown  their  appreciation  of  the  gift  of  the  library  by  accept- 
ing the  invitation. 

It  will  be  an  unusual  scene  in  Van  Wert  to  see  Odd  Fellows, 
Cantons,  Knights  of  Pythias,  Maccabees,  Red  Men,  Masons 
and  all  the  other  orders  who  can  arrange  to  take  part  in  the 
parade.  All  this  will  be  enlivened  by  music  from  Hiestand's 
band,  Convoy  band,  Harmony  band  and  other  bands.  The 
great  Venedocia  Glee  Club  will  furnish  the  vocal  music  for 
the  occasion. 

Will  you  miss  this  great  day  in  Van  Wert?  It  is  a  county 
affair.  Let  the  people  of  the  county  come  out  and  join  in  the 
celebration. —  Van  Wert  Republican,  July  13,  1899. 

The  corner-stone  laying  of  the  Brumback  Library  is  an 
event  which  interests  every  citizen  of  Van  Wert  County.  It 
celebrates  a  magnificent  gift  to  education  and  progress.  It  is 
the  first  public  recognition  of  one  of  the  greatest  benefits  ever 
bestowed  upon  the  town  and  county  of  Van  Wert,  in  which 
all  citizens  have  an  equal  interest. 

The  Brumback  Library  will  be  a  home  to  all  citizens  of  this 
county  who  take  an  interest  in  books  and  literature.  The 
young  man  who  visits  Van  Wert  will  no  longer  be  compelled 
to  spend  his  spare  moments  loitering  in  a  store,  grocery,  in 
a  saloon,  or  on  a  store  box.  The  library  will  be  open  to  all, 
where  they  may  read  books  or  papers.  This  feature  alone 
should  commend  the  library  to  every  good  citizen  of  this 
county. 

The  benefits  from  an  educational  standpoint  are  without 
number,  A  department  will  be  established  for  books  of  refer- 
ence and  for  works  on  higher  education.  In  addition  to  these 
the  best  popular  literature  of  the  day,  the  works  of  the  best 
authors  of  all  ages,  the  standard  works  on  mechanical  science, 
etc.,  will  be  procured. 

The  greatest  crowd  ever  assembled  in  Van  Wert  is  expected 
here  Tuesday  to  celebrate  the  first  step  in  the  construction  of 


46  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

this  storehouse  of  knowledge.  Every  citizen  of  the  county  is 
urged  to  show  his  appreciation  of  the  library  by  giving  to  it 
his  presence  on  this  occasion. 

All  the  following  organizations  of  the  county  have  been 
invited  to  participate  in  the  corner-stone  laying:  the  Masonic 
orders,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  lodges,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodges, 
the  lodges  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Maccabee 
lodges,  the  G.  A.  R.  posts,  the  Home  Guard  homes,  the 
National  Union  lodges  and  the  County  Granges ;  the  following 
organizations  of  Van  Wert  —  the  Modern  Woodmen,  the  Ben 
Hur,  the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America, 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  the  Railroad  Club, 
the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers;  and  also  Company 
D,  Ohio  State  Militia,  Van  Wert  County  officials.  City  officials, 
the  Van  Wert  Board  of  Education,  City  Fire  Department,  the 
newspapers  of  the  county,  the  ministers  of  the  county, 
the  Van  Wert  Ladies'  Library  Association,  the  Trustees  of  the 
Brumback  Library  and  Hon.  M.  M.  Agler,  Representative  of 
Van  Wert  County. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  July  13,  1899. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  request  all  business  houses 
in  Van  Wert  to  close  their  doors  during  the  exercises  of  the 
corner-stone  laying  on  Tuesday.  Every  citizen  of  this  town 
and  county  should  have  the  privilege  of  attending  this  import- 
ant and  impressive  ceremony. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  July  15, 
1899. 

EVERYBODY  DECORATE 

It  is  expected  that  all  business  houses  put  on  the  national 
holiday  dress,  tomorrow,  in  honor  of  the  Brumback  Library 
corner-stone  laying. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  July  17,  1899. 

BRUMBACK   LIBRARY WITH    BECOMING    CEREMONIES    MASONIC 

LODGE      NO.      218     LAYS      THE      CORNER-STONE SOCIETIES 

PARADE    WITH     MUSIC    AND    BANNERS REPRESENTATIVES 

OF    DIFFERENT    TOWNS     IN     LINE THE     WHOLE     COUNTY 

HERE 

The  corner-stone  laying  of  the  Brumback  Library  occurred 
today. 

The  weather  is  delightful  —  ideal.  The  town  is  in  holiday 
attire  and  all  citizens,  of  all  creeds,  are  in  line,  giving  evidence 
of  their  high  appreciation  of  this  temple,  devoted  to  books  and 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  47 

literature,  and  of  the  open-handed  generosity  of  the  donor, 
and  of  his  heirs  now  so  faithfully  carrying  to  a  successful 
completion  his  plan  for  a  public  benefit  in  which  all  are  to 
share  alike. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  July  i8,  1899. 

IMPOSING    CEREMONIES    ATTEND   THE   LAYING   OF    THE   CORNER- 
STONE  SERVICES     BEAUTIFUL    AND     IMPRESSIVE     TO    THE 

THOUSANDS  OF  PEOPLE  ASSEMBLED  —  MAGNIFICENT  PARADE 
OF  SECRET  SOCIETIES  AND  CITIZENS VAN  WERT  IN  HOLI- 
DAY ATTIRE ELOQUENT  SPEECHES  BY  REV.  DR.  A,  J.  FISH, 

HON.  O.  S.  BRUMBACK  AND  GRAND  MASTER  NELSON  WIL- 
LIAMS, OF  HAMILTON 

An  eventful  day  for  Van  Wert  County  has  come  and  gone. 
The  corner-stone  for  the  Brumback  Library  is  in  position  and 
the  ceremonies  attending  its  laying  were  most  imposing.  The 
thousands  of  citizens  of  Van  Wert  County  present  felt  a  thrill 
of  joy  because  they  live  within  the  borders  of  this  progressive 
county,  and  because  not  only  can  they  reap  the  benefit  of  this 
generous  gift,  but  they  can  bequeath  it  to  generations  yet 
unborn. 

Tuesday  was  a  day  never  to  be  forgotten,  a  day  of  instruc- 
tion and  enjoyment.  People  from  the  country  honored  the 
occasion  with  their  presence  and  visitors  from  neighboring 
towns  were  welcome  guests.  Van  Wert  citizens  were  glad 
to  show  their  hospitality.  Judged  by  the  universal  interest 
taken,  the  donor,  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback,  has  enabled  the  light 
of  wisdom  and  learning  to  burn  with  an  increased  luster. — 
Van  Wert  Times,  July  21,  1899. 

The  program  and  addresses  are  taken  from  the  several 
Van  Wert  papers. 

The  procession,  which  was  the  most  impressive  ever  wit- 
nessed in  Van  Wert,  soon  after  two  o'clock,  moved  south  on 
Washington  Street,  countermarching  to  Central  Avenue,  thence 
east  to  Walnut  Street,  thence  north  to  Main,  and  west  to  the 
Park  in  the  following  order:  Mounted  Police,  Convoy  Band, 
County  Officials,  City  Ofificials,  Library  Association  and 
Trustees,  Board  of  Education,  Clergy,  The  Press,  G.  A.  R., 
Harmony  Band,  Fraternal  Orders,  Hiestand's  Band,  Venedocia 
Glee  Club,  The  Masons,  Mounted  Escort. 


48  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

PROGRAM  OF  EXERCISES 

Music,  Hiestand's  Band. 

Prayer,  Rev.  J.  A.  Gordon. 

Oration,  Rev.  A.  J.  Fish,  D.  D. 

Music,  Miss  Alice  Qark. 

Address,  Hon.  O.  S.  Brumback. 

Proclamation,  Grand  Marshal. 

Prayer,  Grand  Chaplain. 

Music,  Hiestand's  Band. 

Presentation  and  Acceptance  of  Silver  Trowel. 

Masonic  Ceremonies. 

Lowering  of  Stone  Accompanied  by  Music. 

Music,  Glee  Club. 

Oration,  Grand  Master  Nelson  Williams. 

Benediction,  Grand  Chaplain. 

REV.  J.  A.  Gordon's  prayer 

O  God,  Most  Wise,  Most  Merciful,  we  adore  Thee  for  all 
Thy  glory  and  for  all  Thy  grace.  Marvelous  are  Thy  works, 
and  in  wisdom  hast  Thou  made  them  all  —  the  earth  is  full 
of  Thy  riches.  We  bless  Thee  that  Thou  hast  made  man  in 
Thine  own  image  and  hast  given  him  dominion  over  the 
creatures.  Thou  hast  created  him  for  knowledge,  holiness 
and  immortality.  Thou  hast  implanted  in  him  hungerings 
and  thirstings  after  truth.  Thou  hast  uplifted  his  thoughts  to 
wander  through  eternity,  to  think  Thy  thoughts  after  Thee, 
to  read  the  wisdom  of  God  in  Thy  works  and  in  Thy  word. 
In  the  beginning  Thou  didst  say,  "  Let  there  be  light,"  and 
we  thank  Thee  that  by  man's  search  for  knowledge  hidden 
treasures  have  been  brought  to  light,  and  his  life  has  been 
enlarged  and  ennobled.  We  bless  Thee  for  this  day;  for  the 
pioneers  and  early  settlers  whose  toils  and  sacrifices  have  laid 
the  foundations  and  built  up  this  community,  so  that  the  lines 
are  fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places,  and  we  have  a  goodly 
heritage. 

We  rejoice  in  this  temple  of  knowledge  whose  corner-stone 
is  laid  today.  We  thank  Thee  for  the  noble  generosity  that 
gave  it  and  for  the  wisdom  and  love  that  guide  its  progress. 
We  praise  Thee  for  all  who  have  united  their  efforts  to  secure 
this  noble  end.  We  pray  that  this  library  may  forever  be  a 
fountain  of  instruction  and  delight  to  the  people;  that  as  it 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  49 

adorns  this  spot  with  its  beauty,  so  its  influences  may  adorn 
and  bless  their  lives. 

Yonder  are  the  school,  the  church,  the  court  of  justice,  and 
the  buildings  of  commerce  and  trade ;  side  by  side  let  this  new 
temple  of  the  soul  stand  henceforth  for  the  uplifting  of  the 
community  in  intelligence,  refinement  and  all  virtues.  Here 
may  the  people  come,  the  rich  and  the  poor  alike,  and  receive 
its  benefits,  and  their  children  from  generation  to  generation. 

Grant,  O  Lord,  that  as  a  community  we  may  be  prospered 
in  all  things  temporal  and  spiritual;  that  with  all  our  getting 
we  may  get  understanding;  that  we  may  increase  in  that  true 
wisdom  whose  merchandise  is  better  than  the  merchandise  of 
silver,  and  the  gain  thereof  better  than  much  fine  gold,  whose 
ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness  and  whose  paths  are  paths  of 
peace.  And  may  we  ever  have  that  fear  of  the  Lord  which  is 
the  beginning  of  wisdom,  and  be  that  happy  people  whose  God 
is  the  Lord.    We  humbly  ask  it  in  Christ's  name.  Amen. 

DR.  A.  J.   fish's  address 

Dr.  Fish  first  read  an  account  of  the  organization  of  the 
Van  Wert  Ladies'  Library  Association  in  1891.  He  also 
spoke  of  the  efforts  of  the  twelve  faithful  ladies,  of  the 
results  accomplished  by  them,  of  the  encouragement  they 
received  from  Van  Wert  people  and  of  the  interest  taken  in 
their  efforts  by  Mr.  Brumback;  after  which  he  commenced 
his  impressive  address,  first  speaking  of  the  various  monu- 
ments erected  by  man,  finally  coming  to  the  grandest  of 
all  —  a  library,  saying : 

Prominent  among  the  works  of  men,  as  far  back  as  we 
find  letters,  has  been  the  founding  of  libraries.  In  ancient 
Assyria,  in  an  age  without  printing  presses,  was  a  library  of 
10,000  distinct  works.  In  old  Egypt,  there  were  hieroglyphic 
writings  gathered  into  a  library  of  37,000  books,  some  of 
them  running  back  2,000  years  before  Christ.  The  Accadians 
had  books  on  the  sun,  the  moon,  stars,  comets,  eclipses,  the 
phases  of  Venus,  and  had  the  oldest  code  of  laws  known  in 
the  world.  The  great  Alexandrian  Library,  in  which  Aristo- 
tle's works  were  preserved,  contained  500,000  volumes.  The 
Germans  have  gathered,  at  Munich,  a  library  of  more  than  a 


50  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

million  books.  The  Slavs,  in  the  Imperial  Library  at  St. 
Petersburg,  have  nearly  a  million  and  a  quarter  volumes.  The 
English,  in  the  library  of  the  British  Museum,  have  3,000,000 
volumes.  The  French,  under  the  fostering  care  of  such  lovers 
of  books  as  Charles  V.,  Louis  XIL,  Louis  XIV.,  and  the 
great  Napoleon,  built  up  the  wonderful  Bibliotheque  Nationale, 
at  Paris,  with  its  3,000,000  volumes,  with  annual  additions  of 
50,000. 

In  our  own  country  we  have  not  been  negligent  or  idle. 
We  are  young  compared  with  the  people  I  have  named,  but 
already  we  have  libraries  in  nearly  every  prominent  city. 
The  Library  of  Congress  at  Washington  has  now  over  400,000 
volumes,  and  the  Mercantile  Library,  of  New  York,  over 
200,000  volumes.  In  many  of  the  smaller  cities  and  towns 
also  are  libraries  well  worthy  of  mention,  and  our  people  are 
becoming  ambitious  to  have  a  library  in  every  county  town  of 
the  country. 

The  benefits  of  a  good  library  are  many.  When  its  doors 
are  opened  to  the  people  it  brings  them  in  touch  with  the 
world  of  letters.  They  are  made  acquainted  with  the  great 
questions  which  men  and  nations  are  discussing.  They  become 
familiar  with  the  records  of  the  past,  and  learn  what  has 
been  done  as  mankind  has  been  struggling  to  gain  the  control 
over  all  nature.  They  are  brought  in  touch  with  the  great 
men  and  women  who  have  shone  as  stars  in  the  human  firma- 
ment, the  heroes  of  every  type  who  have  been  conquerors 
and  masters  in  human  achievement.  They  are  enabled  to  keep 
abreast  of  the  age  in  which  they  live,  and  to  know  of  the 
advancement  and  improvement  made  in  every  sphere  of 
eflfort.  Agriculture  is  made  interesting  and  farming  becomes 
a  delight.  Architecture  attracts  attention  and  the  cabin  and 
storebox  residences  give  way  to  homes  with  modern  con- 
veniences. Mechanics  is  no  longer  drudgery,  but  the  field  of 
the  man  of  skilled  hand.  Science  is  no  longer  dull,  but 
becomes  brilliant  with  ideas  which  are  absorbing  in  interest 
and  helpful  in  all  work. 

I  am  not  speaking  of  shelves  of  story  books  or  books  of 
humor,  but  of  a  well-chosen  library,  covering  the  entire  field 
of  thought:  the  highest  fiction,  the  best  history,  the  most 
eminent  biographies,  the  sublimest  science,  the  purest  states- 
manship, the  mightiest  human  deeds,  the  grandest  progress, 
the  most  notable  discoveries,  the  most  practical  inventions,  the 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  51 

trend  of  civilization,  and  the  mastery  of  races.  Make  the 
people  acquainted  with  such  things  and  you  have  lifted  higher 
the  standard  of  civilization. 

The  superb  gift  by  a  noble  fellov^^-townsman  of  this  build- 
ing, together  v^ith  what  he  had  so  wisely  planned,  marks  a 
new  epoch  in  the  history  of  our  county.  We  are  henceforth 
to  make  strides  toward  higher  endeavor.  We  are  to  be  counted 
with  those  who  seek  to  avail  themselves  of  the  greatest  helps 
in  life's  work.  We  are  to  take  rank  with  the  people  who 
are  seeking  to  open  the  doors  where  the  secrets  of  nature  are 
found,  that  these  may  be  made  to  subserve  our  purposes. 
This  library  means  a  march  forward  along  all  lines,  and  a 
step  upward  by  many  of  our  people.  It  will  inculcate  equality 
among  us.  All  our  people,  even  the  poorest,  are  to  have  the 
same  privileges.  It  is  the  donor's  gift  to  all  the  people.  The 
poorest  son  of  toil  may  have  access  as  readily  as  the  heir  to 
a  fortune ;  the  boy  eager  for  knowledge  and  having  but  few 
advantages  as  freely  as  the  brightest  student  of  the  college. 
All  are  to  be  made  welcome.  The  man  who  sleeps  under  the 
sod,  and  whose  name  you  now  revere,  never  meant  anything 
less  than  this.  There  is  to  be  no  caste,  or  class  preferences, 
but  a  recognition  of  the  privileges  of  all.  The  doors  are  to 
stand  wide  open  to  the  intellectually  hungry  from  any  point 
in  the  county  and  from  every  family  therein.  This  library 
will  shape  the  thought  of  many  a  young  man  and  the  trend  of 
many  a  life. 

There  are  no  forces  like  facts  well  applied.  He  who  has 
access  to  their  storehouses  and  uses  them  cannot  help  but  be 
better  equipped  for  life  and  duty.  There  are  no  inspirations 
like  the  inspirations  of  facts,  and  he  who  helps  inquiring 
minds  to  gain  them  blesses  the  world.  Every  dollar  in  this 
building  is  so  much  leverage  lifting  the  thoughtful,  ambitious 
and  determined  patron  of  the  library  to  a  nobler  aim  in  life. 

This  library  will  furnish  our  country  friends  a  place  to  wait 
and  rest  amid  the  best  possible  surroundings.  By  the  table 
covered  with  the  latest  newspapers,  the  best  magazines  and 
the  purest  literature,  they  not  only  will  be  able  to  make  a 
profitable  use  of  their  time  but  will  be  safe  from  a  dozen 
snares.  I  cannot  but  think  that  the  debasing  influence  of 
the  saloon  will  lose  its  enticement  for  some  who  are  drawn 
by  the  charm  of  what  they  find  here.  The  hour,  too,  that 
would  otherwise  be  wasted  will  be  occupied  with  useful  and 


52  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

ennobling  inquiry.  This  library  will  be  a  growing  source  of 
good.  There  are  many  gifts  of  the  world's  benevolent  ones 
of  which  this  cannot  be  said.  He  who  builds  a  monument  to 
a  name  builds  that  which  today  is  all  it  will  be  a  thousand 
years  hence.  But  this  library  will  increase  its  benefits  and 
enlarge  its  circle  of  influence. 

The  donor  has  wisely  made  provisions  by  which  continual 
additions  are  to  be  made  and  by  which  the  purpose  of  the 
building  is  to  be  kept  sacred  during  the  years  ahead.  A 
century  hence,  it  will  have  doubled  its  usefulness  to  the  people 
of  the  county.  He  builds  grandly  who  builds  for  the  future, 
and  he  plans  well  who  plans  for  the  increase  of  good.  Rising 
generations  will  bless  him  who  in  caring  well  for  their  ances- 
tors has  provided  also  for  them  and  their  descendants.  His 
gift  is  like  treasures  of  wealth  put  upon  compound  interest, 
the  ultimate  value  of  which  is  ever  increasing  in  growing 
ratio. 

Mr.  Brumback  gives  more  to  the  people  than  can  ever  come 
from  them  to  him.  To  him  comes  a  name  widely  known,  long 
remembered  and  greatly  loved.  To  him  come  some  fame 
and  passing  glory.  But  to  the  people  comes  all  that  this 
library  may  become  in  the  future.  It  will  give  a  good  name 
to  our  county.  Our  county  will  be  honored  throughout  the 
state.  Visitors  will  speak  of  it  as  the  county  with  one  of 
the  finest  library  buildings  in  Ohio,  if  not  in  any  state.  The 
ridicule  of  "  hoop-poles  and  mud  "  will  become  a  thing  of  the 
past  and  a  guerdon  of  praise  will  take  its  place. 

The  best  class  of  people  will  seek  homes  in  our  town  and 
county  and  become  our  new  neighbors.  There  will  come  a 
good  name  to  our  citizenship.  We  shall  have  higher  standing 
for  all  the  qualities  which  command  the  regard  and  affection 
of  our  fellowmen  elsewhere.  A  gentleman  of  Toledo  said  to 
me :  **  You  must  have  a  grand  people  in  Van  Wert  County  so 
to  capture  this  liberal-hearted  man  that  he  was  ready  to  sink 
his  feelings  of  self  for  their  good."  Thus,  while  men  look 
at  the  superb  gift  of  the  gracious  donor  they  will  see  also 
the  high  character  and  worth  of  those  upon  whom  the  gift  is 
bestowed.  If  he  had  given  bread  and  clothing  they  would 
think  of  us  as  paupers,  but  in  this  gift  they  will  see  a  people 
high  in  noble  qualities,  eminent  character,  enduring  power  and 
worthy  confidence.    We  are  ennobled  by  the  gift. 

People  of  Van  Wert  County :    J,  S.  Brumback  did  this  for 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  53 

you.  He  built  no  monument  for  himself.  He  reared  no 
shrine  of  hero  worship  that  he  should  occupy.  Whatever 
monument  is  raised  to  him  must  be  builded  in  your  hearts 
and  in  the  hearts  of  your  children.  There  and  there  alone 
can  he  live  immortal.  With  you,  and  with  you  alone,  will  be 
the  crowning.  On  one  of  the  streets  of  Florence,  Italy,  there 
are  statues  of  Dante,  Giotto,  Petrarch,  Boccaccio  and  Angelo. 
These  were  all  born  within  her  gates  and  thus  she  honored 
their  names.  Let  us  neither  by  marble,  bronze  nor  granite, 
but  by  perpetual  regard  and  undying  love,  hold  in  our  hearts 
the  name  and  memory  of  him  whom  today  we  honor  as  we 
lay  this  corner-stone  —  J.  S.  Brumback. 

HON,  O.  S.  BRUMBACK's  ADDRESS 

There  are  occasions  in  the  affairs  of  men,  of  nations  and  of 
communities  which  mark  epochs  in  their  history.  Today 
marks  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  Van  Wert  County.  Fifty 
years  ago,  this  county  was  a  primeval  wilderness,  inundated 
by  waters  that  had  no  sufficient  outlet.  This  beautiful  park 
was  formerly  a  swamp  from  the  overflow  of  the  neighboring 
stream,  and  even  here  where  we  now  stand  I  have  in  my 
own  boyhood  days  fished  in  summer  waters  and  skated  in 
winter  on  unyielding  ice. 

It  has  only  been  by  years  of  tireless  toil  and  unremitting 
industry  that  Van  Wert  County  has  been  redeemed  from 
swamp  and  beast  and  forest,  until  it  has  become  the  garden 
spot  of  Ohio.  When  the  genial  summer  sun  kisses  her  loamy 
soil  and  "  the  tears  of  Nature  "  fall  upon  her  fertile  fields  — 

"  Every  clod  feels  a  stir  of  might, 
An  instinct  within  it  that  reaches  and  towers, 
And  groping  blindly  above  it  for  light. 
Climbs  to  a  soul  in  grass  and  flowers." 

In  accomplishing  such  a  metamorphosis  in  the  face  of 
nature,  with  all  the  privations  consequent  upon  such  a  work, 
the  mass  of  the  people  have  had  but  scanty  opportunity  for 
higher  education.  The  school  houses  which  dot  the  townships, 
and  the  church  spires  towering  amid  the  groves  and  meadows, 
all  give  proof  that  the  people  of  Van  Wert  County  have  been 
awake  to  the  need  of  early  education  tempered  with  righteous- 
ness.    But  it  is  reserved  for  today  to  inaugurate  an  era  of 


54  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

the  broadest  education  and  the  wisest  culture  for  all  the 
people. 

In  laying  the  corner-stone  of  this  library,  we  are  taking 
steps  to  place  the  knowledge  and  wisdom  of  all  the  ages  within 
the  reach  of  the  humblest  citizen  and  his  children, 

Edward  Everett  said :  "  It  is  our  common  schools  which 
give  the  key  of  knowledge  to  the  mass  of  the  people.  Our 
common  schools  are  important  in  the  same  way  as  the  com- 
mon air,  the  common  rain,  the  common  sunshine,  invaluable 
for  their  commonness." 

Carrying  forward  this  beautiful  analogy,  we  may  well  add 
—  It  is  our  public  libraries  that  form  the  repositories  of 
knowledge,  ready  for  the  application  of  the  key  of  knowledge. 
Our  public  libraries  are  important  in  the  same  way  as  the 
public  parks,  the  public  highways,  the  public  government, 
invaluable  for  their  publicity. 

The  common  school  system  can  only  afford  a  preparatory 
education  for  the  youth  of  our  land.  To  utilize  and  make  the 
most  of  that  education  is  the  work  of  a  lifetime  after  leaving 
the  public  schools.  And  here  is  where  the  public  library 
opens  wide  its  doors  to  offer  freely  its  treasures  of  learning. 

When  Abraham  Lincoln  was  a  poor  country  boy  yearning 
for  that  higher  education  by  which  alone  he  could  aspire  to 
lead  his  fellowmen,  his  opportunities  for  acquiring  knowledge 
were  so  limited,  it  is  almost  miraculous  he  persevered  in  his 
purpose  until  he  became  the  Saviour  of  his  country,  the 
Emancipator  of  a  race. 

Alas,  how  many  minds  equally  bright  have  become  dis- 
couraged under  such  conditions  and  given  up  a  higher  educa- 
tion through  lack  of  opportunity. 

That  the  people  of  this  county  are  willing  to  tax  them- 
selves for  the  growth  and  maintenance  of  a  library  speaks 
volumes  for  their  intelligence.  It  shows  they  realize  that 
just  in  proportion  to  the  advantages  offered  will  Van  Wert 
County  become  a  desirable  place  in  which  to  live,  and  every 
acre  of  land  and  every  piece  of  property  thereby  proportion- 
ately increase  in  value.  It  shows  they  realize  that  success  in 
life  comes  not  from  accident,  but  from  intelligent  action  based 
on  the  wisdom  and  experience  of  those  who  have  lived  before. 

The  public  library  gathers  the  books  in  which  is  stored  this 
wealth  of  human  knowledge;  and  there  the  people  of  every 
occupation,  creed  and  profession  can  go  to  learn  the  best 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  55 

method  to  accomplish  the  best  results.  It  is  not  too  much  to 
say  that  under  the  inspiration  of  such  a  work,  under  the 
inspiration  of  such  an  institution,  generation  after  generation 
will  reap  boundless  benefit  from  the  Brumback  Library. 

He  whose  name  it  bears  was  himself  an  example  of  what 
the  poor  country  lad  can  accomplish  by  high  aspirations  and 
intelligent,  faithful  industry,  aided  by  a  good  and  faithful 
wife.  He,  himself,  realized  what  it  meant  to  be  debarred 
from  the  higher  education  through  lack  of  opportunity,  and 
in  the  liberality  of  his  generous  heart,  with  a  true  philan- 
thropy, he  willed  that  Van  Wert  County  boys  and  girls  —  the 
sons  and  daughters  of  his  old  friends  and  associates  —  should 
have  opportunities  second  to  none  in  the  land.  When  that 
is  accomplished  John  Sanford  Brumback  will  not  have  lived 
in  vain. 

And  when  in  the  future,  under  the  beneficent  example  of 
Van  Wert  County,  other  counties  in  Ohio,  yea,  the  counties 
of  other  states,  shall  have  followed  in  our  footsteps  and  laid 
corner-stones  of  county  libraries,  to  Van  Wert  County  will 
belong  the  meed  of  praise  as  leader  in  a  glorious  work. 
Though  young  in  years  she  will  be  foremost  in  achievement. 

And  when  in  the  widening  brotherhood  of  man,  everyone 
shall  feel  he  is  his  brother's  keeper;  when  each  shall  know 
that  all  he  is  or  can  be  he  owes  his  fellowmen,  and  in  return 
stands  charged  with  a  debt  of  gratitude  only  to  be  repaid  by 
the  happiness  he  secures  for  others;  when  all  society  realizes 
that  by  higher  education,  a  better,  nobler,  broader  civilization 
can  be  attained,  in  which  the  happiness  of  each  is  best  secured 
by  the  happiness  of  all ;  then  will  come  "  peace  on  earth  good 
will  toward  men."  Then  the  era  upon  which  we  are  now 
entering  of  Humanity  for  Humanity  will  have  accomplished 
its  full  fruition,  and  the  corner-stones  of  public  libraries  will 
not  have  been  laid  in  vain. 

"  And  each  shall  care  for  other. 
And  each  to  each  shall  bend. 
To  the  poor  a  noble  brother. 
To  the  good  an  equal  friend." 

Next  followed  the  eloquent  address  of  Grand  Master 
Williams,  which  unfortunately  cannot  be  given,  and  the 
impressive  Masonic  exercises  connected  with  the  laying  of 
the  comer-stone. 


56  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

MORE  INTERESTING  FEATURES  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  LAYING  — 
LIST  OF  THE  DEPOSITS  IN   THE  CORNER-STONE 

The  citizens  of  Van  Wert  are  a  pleased  people.  The  success 
attending  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  the  Brumback 
Library  building  has  brought  them  together  as  never  before. 
Every  public-spirited  citizen  feels  that  he  has  been  personally 
benefited.  There  was  an  immense  crowd  of  people  present; 
the  impressive  ceremony  conducted  by  the  Masonic  fraternity 
was  magnificently  carried  out  without  a  hitch ;  the  long  lines  of 
societies  and  orders  was  a  flattering  compliment  to  good-fel- 
lowship ;  the  music,  the  speeches  and  all  the  proceedings  com- 
bined to  make  it  one  of  the  happiest  events  in  the  history  of 
the  city.  Below  is  given  a  list  of  the  deposits  in  the  corner- 
stone. 

History  of  first  organization  of  the  Van  Wert  Library  Asso- 
ciation, with  photographs  of  members  of  the  Association. 

History  of  Brumback  County  Library,  copy  of  donor's  will, 
copy  of  contract  with  County  Commissioners. 

Photograph  of  J.  S.  Brumback. 

Photographs  of  the  wife  and  children  of  J.  S.  Brumback, 

Photographs  of  Commissioners  of  Van  Wert  County. 

Copy  of  Van  Wert  Bulletin  of  Dec.  i8,  1897,  containing 
announcement  of  contract  of  County  Commissioners  and 
Library  Association  with  Brumback  heirs. 

Copy  of  Van  Wert  Republican  of  July  28,  1898,  containing 
provisions  of  the  will  of  J.  S.  Brumback. 

History  of  organization  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  with  list 
of  first  and  present  county  officials. 

History  of  organization  of  Van  Wert  City,  first  and  present 
city  officials. 

History  of  Public  Schools  of  Van  Wert,  first  and  present 
members  of  Board,  superintendent,  teachers,  and  roster  of 
pupils. 

History  and  organization  of  First  Methodist  Church,  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  First  Lutheran  Church,  First  Christian 
Church,  First  Friends  Church,  First  Evangelical  Church  and 
First  Baptist  Church. 

History  of  the  Masonic  Order,  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the 
Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Knights  of  Maccabees,  the 
Modem  Brotherhood  of  America,  Heistand's  Band,  Scott  and 
Van  Wert  Posts,  G.  A.  R.,  with  charter  and  present  members. 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  57 

The  press  of  Van  Wert  County :  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  Daily 
and  Twice-a-Week,  Van  Wert  Times,  Van  Wert  Republican, 
Van  Wert  Democrat,  Delphos  Herald,  Delphos  Kleeblatt, 
Willshire  Herald,  Convoy  Crescent,  and  Ohio  City  News. 

Copy  of  City  and  County  Directory. 

Copy  of  the  minutes  of  the  Special  Communication  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  Ohio,  with  a 
list  of  its  officers  and  the  speakers  of  this  occasion. —  Van 
Wert  Bulletin,  July  19,  1899. 

APPRECIATIVE      NEIGHBORS  —  UNBIASED      COMMENT      ON      THE 
BRUMBACK  CORNER-STONE  CEREMONIES 

The  Delphos  Herald  says :  "  Van  Wert  was  in  her  highest 
element  Tuesday.  It  was  right  that  she  should  be.  Her  people 
appreciate  the  great  worth  of  so  grand  a  gift  to  the  progress- 
ive county  town  and  made  the  occasion  of  the  laying  of  the 
corner-stone  of  the  Brumback  Library  a  day  to  be  remem- 
bered, a  day  of  entertainment  and  enjoyment.  The  citizens  of 
the  rural  territory  and  surrounding  towns  of  Van  Wert  County 
were  the  honored  guests.  They  were  pleasingly  entertained  by 
the  hospitable  residents  of  the  progressive  county  town. 

"  Van  Wert  is  just  entering  a  stage  of  progressiveness.  Her 
nice,  clean  brick  streets,  her  handsome  residences  and  her 
pleasant-mannered  citizens  speak  well  for  the  city.  The  man- 
ner of  conducting  the  imposing  ceremonies  in  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  the  Brumback  Library  is  another  testimonial  to  the 
fact  that  the  gift  has  been  appreciated  by  her  citizens.  The 
library  will  be  a  fountain  of  useful  information,  open  to  each 
and  every  person,  rich  or  poor,  within  the  borders  of  Van 
Wert  County,  and  the  example  set  by  the  establishment  of  such 
a  temple  of  learning  places  one  of  the  youngest  counties  in 
Ohio  in  the  highest  rank  educationally." —  Van  Wert  Bulletin. 

Van  Wert  is  gaining  additional  prominence  from  the  fact 
that  the  town  will  possess  the  first  county  library  building  in 
Ohio,  if  not  in  the  United  States. —  Celina  (Ohio)  Standard. 

Through  the  efforts  of  J.  P.  Reed,  Jr.,  and  the  kindness  of 
Senator  M.  A.  Hanna  and  Congressman  David  Meekison,  the 
Brumback  Library  has  been  made  the  designated  depository 
of  the  Fifth  Congressional  District,  and  as  such  will  receive 
from  time  to  time  all  the  important  documents  issued  by  the 


58  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

U.  S.  Government.  One  consignment  of  some  three  hundred 
books  arrived  this  morning.  They  are  packed  in  sacks  and 
came  by  registered  mail. —  Van  Wert  Republican. 

1900 

BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  NEARING  COMPLETION IT  WILL  PROBABLY 

BE  OPENED  IN   JANUARY 

The  Brumback  Memorial  Library  is  nearing  completion.  In 
the  last  ten  days  the  grounds  surrounding  the  building  have 
been  graded  and  terraced.  The  steel  stacks  have  been  installed 
ready  for  the  books.  About  2700  new  books  are  already  here 
and  are  being  catalogued  as  fast  as  possible.  These  together 
with  the  1,800  volumes  from  the  old  library  will  make  a  very 
creditable  beginning  for  Van  Wert  County's  storehouse  of 
knowledge.  The  building  will  not  be  opened  until  everything 
is  in  readiness  for  the  patrons. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  the  library  trustees  to  establish  branch 
libraries  throughout  the  county  at  convenient  points,  where 
books  and  catalogues  will  be  on  hand,  so  that  the  country 
people  will  not  be  obliged  to  come  to  Van  Wert  for  books. — 
Van  Wert  Republican,  Nov.  15,  1900. 

BRUMBACK  LIBRARY COMMENT  BY  STATE  OFFICERS  UPON  THIS 

PRAISEWORTHY  DONATION  TO  THE  PUBLIC  * 

"  Ohio,  in  matters  educational,  is  said  to  be  a  '  good  fol- 
lower.' If  she  succeeds  in  establishing  and  maintaining  a 
county  library  in  an  agricultural  section  of  the  state,  she  will 
have  made  an  innovation  in  this  field.  As  far  as  is  known, 
the  Brumback  Memorial  Library  is  the  first  of  its  kind  in  this 
or  any  other  state.  The  results  will  therefore  be  watched  with 
deep  interest  by  the  friends  of  the  library  movement. 

"  There  are  many  reasons  why  the  county  should  be  the  unit 
and  the  county-seat  a  center  of  library  interest  and  adminis- 
tration. A  library  located  at  the  county  capital  should  be 
made  a  depository  for  government  publications,  state  and 
national.  These  should  be  preserved  and  kept  for  reference 
in  at  least  one  library  of  the  county;  and  one  such  collection, 
if  properly  classified  and  arranged,  would  be  sufficient.  In 
time  these  documents  in  themselves  would  make  a  valuable 

♦From  the  Fifty-fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  Ohio  State  Library 
Commissioners. 


LAYING  OF  THE  CORNER-STONE  59 

reference  library.  At  such  a  place  could  also  be  kept  the  more 
expensive  reference  works  that  are  beyond  the  reach  of  small 
local  libraries.  Here  may  be  collected  files  of  county  news- 
papers, manuscripts  and  printed  material  relating  to  the  history 
of  the  county.  Local  historical  societies,  where  such  organiza- 
tions exist,  would  willingly  aid  in  building  up  such  a  depart- 
ment. In  addition  to  all  this,  and  what  concerns  us  most  so 
far  as  this  report  is  concerned,  such  a  library  could  be  made 
a  point  from  which  traveling  libraries  could  be  distributed  to 
different  parts  of  the  county.  It  is  especially  encouraging  to 
note  that  the  trustees  of  the  Brumback  Library  contemplate 
beginning  their  work  with  a  traveling  library  system  that  shall 
reach  every  postoffice  within  the  county.  The  expense  of 
transportation  will  be  quite  small,  as  the  distance  from  the 
point  of  distribution  will  be  comparatively  short.  In  this 
respect  the  local  traveling  library  will  have  an  advantage  over 
the  state  traveling  library. 

"  The  Brumback  Library,  we  are  reliably  informed,  will  be 
able  to  provide  for  efficient  administration  and  to  add  by  pur- 
chase each  year  several  thousand  books.  These,  with  govern- 
ment publications  and  volumes  donated,  will  soon  make  a  large 
library  capable  of  supplying  the  demands  of  the  county.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  the  schools,  whether  or  not  they  become  an 
active  agency  in  the  administration  of  the  work,  will  be  greatly 
benefited  by  the  system.  Under  the  efficient  management  of 
the  non-partisan  board  with  which  Van  Wert  starts  out  on 
this  notable  and  praiseworthy  experiment,  there  is  every  rea- 
son to  believe  that  it  will  be  a  complete  success.  We  may 
reasonably  hope  that  in  other  counties  enlightened  philanthropy 
may  thus  aid  local  educational  interests  and  perpetuate  itself 
in  the  grateful  appreciation  of  succeeding  generations." —  Van 
Wert  Bulletin,  Nov.  22,  1900. 

The  Ohio  Educational  Monthly,  published  at  Columbus, 
made  similar  comments. 

The  Brumback  Memorial  Library  building  at  Van  Wert  is 
to  be  dedicated  New  Year's  day.  The  structure  is  a  very  hand- 
some one,  and  the  citizens  of  the  thriving  city  of  Van  Wert 
are  justly  proud  of  it. —  St.  Marys  {Ohio)  Graphic,  December, 
1900. 


60  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

It  has  been  very  gratifying  to  our  people  to  see  Mr.  Brum- 
back's  children,  viz.,  Mrs.  J.  P.  Reed,  Jr.,  Mrs.  E.  I.  Antrim, 
D.  L.  Brumback,  President  of  the  Van  Wert  National  Bank, 
and  Hon.  O.  S.  Brumback,  a  prominent  attorney  of  Toledo, 
all  working  so  faithfully  and  unitedly  to  the  end  that  the  library 
building  might  be  brought  to  a  satisfactory  completion.  Such 
zeal  and  devotion  merit  the  highest  praise ;  by  their  deeds  they 
have  not  only  proved  themselves  truly  heirs  of  a  noble  man, 
but  they  have  also  erected  for  themselves  a  monument  which 
time  cannot  obliterate.  With  them,  we  may  right  here  very 
properly  speak  of  John  P.  Reed,  Jr.,  who  has  had  the  super- 
vision of  nearly  everything  in  connection  with  the  building. 
He  has  worked  early  and  late,  and  it  is  due  in  a  measure  to 
his  ability  and  unceasing  efforts  that  next  Tuesday  Van  Wert 
County  will  be  presented  with  one  of  the  most  substantial 
library  structures  in  the  state. —  Van  Wert  Republican,  Dec. 
27,  1900. 

While  the  newspapers  have  often  mentioned  the  fact  that  the 
building  is  erected  and  furnished  throughout  by  the  Brum- 
back estate,  occasionally  we  meet  a  man  who  thinks  that  part 
of  the  cost  of  construction  was  met  by  the  tax-payers  of  Van 
Wert  County.  For  the  benefit  of  such  persons  we  again  say 
that  the  Brumback  Library  was  erected  and  furnished  com- 
plete at  a  cost  to  the  Brumback  estate  of  $50,000  and  con- 
tained 1,800  volumes  before  a  single  penny  of  the  tax-payers' 
money  was  spent. —  Van  Wert  Republican,  Dec,  1900. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Ohio  Library  Association 
recently  held  at  Zanesville  the  first  of  the  resolutions  adopted 
reads  as  follows: 

"  Bequests  for  library  purposes  call  forth  perpetual  grati- 
tude from  the  living.  We  especially  commend  the  liberal  spirit 
of  the  late  J.  S.  Brumback,  who  made  provision  in  his  will 
for  the  establishment  of  a  free  public  library  for  Van  Wert. 
We  also  commend  the  disinterested  zeal  of  the  heirs  of  his 
estate,  and  the  wisdom  of  the  commissioners  of  Van  Wert 
County  who  have  cooperated  to  carry  out  these  provisions  and 
make  the  bequest  available  for  the  people  of  the  county.  We 
trust  that  the  work  they  have  successfully  inaugurated  may  be 
imitated  elsewhere  throughout  the  state." —  Van  Wert  Repub- 
lican, Dec,  1900. 


it 


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CHAPTER  VI 

THE   DEDICATION 

THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  DEDICATION  MARKS  AN  IMPORTANT 
STEP  IN  THE  HISTORY  OF  VAN  WERT  COUNTY  —  EXERCISES 
TO  BE  HELD  IN  THE  FIRST  METHODIST  CHURCH,  VAN  WERT, 
JAN.   I 

T^HE  crowning  event  in  the  history  of  the  Brumback  Library 
will  take  place  at  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
on  New  Year's  Day,  when  appropriate  dedicatory  exercises 
will  be  held.  It  is  altogether  fitting  and  appropriate  that  these 
exercises  should  occur  on  the  first  day  of  the  year,  aye,  the 
first  day  of  the  new  century,  for  the  completion  of  the  library 
and  its  opening  to  the  public  mark  an  epoch  in  the  history  of 
Van  Wert  County  of  which  we  may  justly  feel  proud.  It  is 
scarcely  necessary  in  this  article  to  give  an  account  of  the 
library  or  of  the  donor.  All  this  has  been  done  before  by  pens 
more  able  than  ours.  Van  Wert  is  justly  proud  of  J.  S.  Brum- 
back, proud  that  he  located  here  and  proud  of  the  great  gift 
that  made  possible  a  library  for  Van  Wert  County. —  Van 
Wert  Times,  Dec.  28,  1900. 

The  following  is  the  order  of  the  exercises : 

Presiding  Officer,  Rev.  J.  A.  Gordon. 
Director  of  Music,  Wm.  H.  Hiestand. 
Music  by  Moebus'  Orchestra  and  Hiestand's  Band. 
Music,    National    Hymn    (Geo.    W.    Warren),    Chorus    and 
Orchestra. 

Invocation,  Rev.  J.  H.  Fitzwater,  D.  D. 
Music,  Solo  and  Chorus,  "  Inflammatus,"  Rossini. 
Address,  Rev.  P.  P.  Pope,  D.  D. 
Music,  Solo,  Charles  W.  Clark,  Chicago. 
Address  of  Presentation,  Hon.  O.  S.  Brumback,  Toledo. 
Acceptance  on  behalf  of  Board  of  Trustees,  Judge  H.  C.  Glenn. 
Music,  Chorus  and  Orchestra,  "  Columbia,"  Dozitta. 

61 


62  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Dedicatory  Prayer,  Rev.  I.  D.  Worman, 
Music,  Solo,  Charles  W.  Clark. 

Address,  Hon.  C.  B.  Galbreath,  Columbus,  State  Librarian  and 
President  National  Association  of  State  Librarians. 
Music,  Orchestra,  Chorus  and  Audience,  "  America." 
Benediction,  Rev.  D.  B.  Koenig. 

INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS    OF    REV.    J.    A.    GORDON 

I  do  not  believe  that  in  all  the  world  there  will  be  a  cele- 
bration of  the  new  year,  or  the  new  century,  more  significant 
and  typical  of  the  spirit  of  progress  that  marks  the  age  than 
we  are  having  here  today.  Here,  where  a  hundred  years  ago 
was  an  unbroken  wilderness,  the  home  of  savages  and  wild 
beasts,  we  dedicate  today  a  temple  of  civilization  and  knowl- 
edge, noble  in  the  spirit  that  prompted  it,  classic  in  its  archi- 
tectural beauty,  and  complete  in  all  its  appointments.  As  one 
who  has  been  interested  in  the  library  from  its  inception  and 
who  participated  in  the  corner-stone  laying,  I  rejoice  in  this 
proud  day  for  the  people  of  Van  Wert  County.  I  have  the 
honor  to  preside  at  the  exercises  this  afternoon.  We  have 
a  rich  and  varied  program,  and  while  it  is  somewhat  lengthy, 
this  is  an  event  which  will  never  occur  again,  and  I  am  sure 
you  will  all  give  patient  attention  to  the  speakers. 

The  first  institution  of  learning  in  this  country  was  Har- 
vard College,  to  which  the  Rev.  John  Harvard  bequeathed  one- 
half  his  estate  and  his  library,  and  this  was  the  foundation 
of  the  first  public  library  in  America.  It  is  fitting,  therefore, 
that  a  representative  of  the  ministry  address  us  on  this  occa- 
sion. We  shall  now  hear  from  the  Rev.  P.  P.  Pope,  D.  D., 
pastor  of  this  church, 

REV.   DR.    p.    p.   pope's   ADDRESS 

We  live  in  a  book-making  age.  It  is  certainly  true  today, 
"  of  making  many  books  there  is  no  end."  De  Quincey,  the 
great  English  essayist,  calculated,  half  a  century  ago,  that  if  a 
man  should  in  early  youth  undertake  to  read  the  world's 
books  and  read  every  day  the  greatest  number  of  pages  his 
eyes  could  scan,  and  if  he  should  live  a  hundred  years  in  this 
exclusive  occupation,  his  wearied  eyes  would  cease  their  work 
in  the  first  alcove  of  this  immeasurable  library;  yet  during 
the  last  half  century  the  number  of  books  has  enormously 


THE  DEDICATION  63 

multiplied,  so  that  today  he  would  be  further  from  the  end 
of  his  task  than  he  was  at  the  beginning. 

Approximately,  all  that  has  been  written  since  the  Christian 
era  may  be  found  in  the  vast  libraries  of  France,  England  and 
other  European  countries.  Accident,  fire,  age  and  the  vandal- 
ism of  rulers  have  destroyed  innumerable  volumes  in  the 
ancient  past,  but  frequently  works,  thought  destroyed,  put 
in  an  appearance,  and  there  is  reason  to  hope  that  sooner  or 
later  most  of  the  early  literature  of  the  world  of  special  value 
will  have  been  recovered. 

A  good  book  is  a  great  boon,  a  source  of  inspiration.  Some 
one  has  said  that  a  drop  of  ink  falling  like  dew  upon  a  thought 
has  made  thousands,  even  millions,  think.  Milton  says,  "  a 
good  book  is  the  precious  blood  of  a  master  spirit  embalmed 
and  treasured  up  on  purpose  to  a  life  beyond."  In  our  day 
we  might  say  it  is  often  the  electric  charge  stored  up  to 
enlighten  and  invigorate  the  minds  of  those  who  search  its 
pages.  Books  have  voices  that  speak ;  while  mind  is  finite  and 
progressive  there  can  be  no  end  of  book-making;  a  boundless 
field  is  ever  open  for  advancement  and  attainment. 

What  a  mine  of  wealth  there  is  in  the  world's  literature. 
How  large  a  part  it  plays  in  the  enlightenment  and  education 
of  the  race.  Books  like  the  Bible  are  priceless.  Masterpieces 
of  human  product,  like  Shakespeare,  gold  could  not  buy. 
They  are  the  most  substantial  wealth  of  their  generation; 
the  most  enduring  monuments  of  the  ages ;  products  of  mind 
that  have  made  mortals  immortal.  "  Wisdom  is  preferred  to 
silver  "  and  "  gold  is  dross  compared  to  her ;  "  "  more  precious 
is  she  than  rubies," 

But  there  are  books  and  books.  Books  that  are  fit  only 
for  the  waste  basket.  Books  that  have  blasted  the  paper  on 
which  they  were  printed  and  are  fit  only  to  be  consumed  by 
fire. 

The  object  of  the  public  library  is  twofold.  To  place  within 
reach  of  all  the  best  literature  of  the  centuries.  To  bring 
from  every  department  of  thought  all  the  best  and  most  use- 
ful books  of  the  day. 

January  i,  1901,  is  an  auspicious  day  for  the  citizens  of 
the  city  and  county  of  Van  Wert.  The  Brumback  Library, 
which  we  meet  to  dedicate,  is  a  worthy  monument  of  the 
affectionate  regard  of  the  donor  for  the  people  among  whom 
he  lived.    It  is  a  mark  of  liberality  and  great  wisdom. 


64  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Its  value  and  advantages  cannot  be  too  highly  estimated. 
A  great  private  library  is  a  rare  luxury.  The  country  has 
but  few.  Of  public  libraries  containing  more  than  one  thou- 
sand volumes  there  are  but  four  thousand  in  all  the  land. 
Northwestern  Ohio  can  boast  of  only  four  library  buildings. 
With  this  monumental  building,  excelled  by  none  outside  of 
the  chief  cities  and  universities,  and  with  the  excellent  library 
already  on  its  shelves,  the  county  is  to  be  congratulated. 

The  average  public  library  has  a  very  uncertain  existence. 
If  it  has  no  permanent  home  it  usually  flourishes  a  while,  then 
languishes  or  dies.  The  bequest  of  Mr.  Brumback  has  made 
this  library  sure  and  permanent. 

A  prophetic  glance  across  a  century  let  us  take  this  New 
Year's  day,  the  first  day  of  what  may  be  a  millennial  century. 
It  will  warrant  the  belief  that  thousands  of  volumes  will 
fill  the  shelves  of  the  Brumback  Library  at  the  century's 
close.  Our  friends  have  built  larger  than  they  knew.  Well 
may  it  be  so,  "  for  education  is  the  chief  defense  of  nations." 
Fellow-citizens  of  Van  Wert  County,  what  a  privilege  is  ours. 

Only  one  book  in  ten  thousand  contains  anything  new  in 
the  realm  of  thought  or  imagination.  Genuine  creations  of  the 
mind  are  very  few.  The  poet  Emerson  suggested  that  when 
his  writings  had  been  subjected  to  the  sifting  process  of  time 
but  five  lines  would  remain.  He  was  doubtless  correct.  Al- 
ready it  will  be  our  privilege  at  the  opening  of  this  library  to 
find  the  great  books  of  the  great  minds  of  all  the  centuries. 
No  entertainment  is  so  cheap  as  reading,  nor  is  any  pleasure 
as  enduring.  "  There  is,"  says  Bulwer,  "  no  past  so  long  as 
books  shall  live."  Use  your  opportunity,  a  golden  moment 
daily  will  make  itself  felt  in  a  year.  Said  a  thinker  pointing 
to  a  library  of  great  books,  "  I  read  the  books  on  those  shelves 
at  the  rate  of  three  pages  a  day." 

Groups  of  ragged  newsboys  gather  around  the  tables  in  the 
palace  halls  of  the  Carnegie  Library  at  Pittsburgh,  their  faces 
lighted  with  the  light  of  the  literature  they  devour.  They  are 
citizens  incubating.  The  moulding  of  these  lies  within  the 
province  of  the  public  library.  May  it  bear  precious  fruit  for 
the  twentieth  century  in  the  city  and  county  of  Van  Wert,  as 
from  every  hamlet,  township  and  village  of  the  county  the 
people  come  for  light  and  knowledge,  and  may  it  cement  them 
into  a  noble  fellowship. 


THE  DEDICATION  65 

PRESENTATION   ADDRESS   BY   HON.   0.    S.   BRUMBACK  OF  TOLEDO, 

OHIO 

Men  may  come  and  men  may  go,  but  their  thoughts  in- 
scribed in  books  go  on  forever.  Books  afford  the  true  trans- 
migration of  souls,  since  in  them  the  minds  of  men  Hve  on 
long  after  their  bodies  have  returned  to  dust.  A  library  is 
a  mausoleum  of  the  souls  of  great  men  and  women  who  have 
lived  on  earth,  and  the  open  doors  of  a  public  library  are 
a  standing  invitation  to  enter  and  become  acquainted  with 
them.  He  who  accepts  the  invitation  should  tread  lightly 
and  with  awe,  for  there  the  learning  of  the  ages  awaits  his 
call.  The  scintillating  wit,  the  flights  of  eloquence  and  the 
rhythmic  pathos  of  the  human  race  there  surround  him;  and 
there  the  hopes  and  fears,  the  sorrow  and  joys,  the  failures 
and  successes  of  mankind  for  centuries  are  portrayed  to 
him  who  reads. 

The  pleasure,  the  satisfaction,  the  profit  that  books  afford 
cannot  be  overstated.  Do  you  desire  to  ponder  over  the 
glorious  achievements  of  men?  Gibbon,  Macaulay,  Bancroft 
and  all  the  rest  will  detail  with  faithful  accuracy  the  history  of 
the  past.  Do  you  desire  to  revel  in  imaginary  scenes  of 
human  life  ?  Dickens,  Scott,  Thackeray,  Cooper  and  hundreds 
of  others  will  lead  you  through  scenes  and  bring  you  face  to 
face  with  characters,  so  true  to  life,  that  you  forget  it  is  all 
a  fiction  of  the  brain.  Do  you  desire  to  wander  through 
Elysian  fields  where  poesy  lulls  the  senses  into  sweet  con- 
tent? Then  Shakespeare,  Byron,  Tennyson,  Bryant,  Long- 
fellow or  other  of  the  hundred  bards  will  carry  you  away  on 
the  wings  of  ecstasy,  until  with  Wordsworth  you  feel  — 

For  ever  something  is  or  seems, 
That  touches  us  with  mystic  gleams 
Like  glimpses  of  forgotten  dreams. 

Long  days  become  as  hours,  and  dull  hours  fly  unnoticed, 
when  rapture  thrills  the  heart,  and  the  weary  brain  forgets 
its  tribulations  in  the  entrancement  of  a  good  author. 

Assembled  as  we  are  today,  to  dedicate  a  temple  to  litera- 
ture, the  mind  spontaneously  recurs  to  all  that  books  are  to 
man. 

After  printing  was  invented,  books  at  first  were  to  be 
found  only  in  the  convents  of  mediaeval  times,  ponderous 


66  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

in  size  and  crude  in  form.  Learning  was  then  confined  to  the 
priesthood,  few  among  the  people  could  read,  and  inability  to 
write,  even  among  the  nobility,  caused  the  use  of  a  signet 
seal. 

From  the  convents,  books  gradually  came  into  the  hands 
of  the  people,  until  at  the  time  of  the  Colonial  Period  in 
America  most  families  had  one  or  more  books,  commonly  a 
Bible  and  a  few  others.  Books  being  so  precious,  favored 
was  he  who  had  access  to  a  few  volumes,  and  happy  was 
the  one  who  had  a  small  library  at  his  command.  Because 
of  the  scarcity  and  value  of  books,  no  one  was  able  to  acquire 
a  library  of  much  magnitude,  and  from  the  very  necessity  of 
the  situation,  following  the  Colonial  Period,  came  the  Institu- 
tional Period,  from  about  1638  to  1731,  when  libraries  were 
to  be  found  in  Harvard,  Princeton,  Yale  and  other  early 
colleges. 

In  1 73 1  began  a  Cooperative  Period,  in  which  men  and 
families  clubbed  together  in  cities  and  villages  to  form 
libraries  of  their  own.  This  lasted  until  1854,  when  the  Free 
Public  Library  Period  was  inaugurated  by  Boston  opening 
a  library  free  to  all  who  sought  admission.  From  Boston, 
libraries  have  spread  over  the  country,  until  today  nearly 
every  city  of  note  in  the  United  States,  and  many  villages  as 
well,  have  their  free  public  libraries  to  promote  education 
and  intellectual  growth. 

The  remarkable  spread  of  knowledge  in  the  United  States 
is  directly  ascribable  to  these  public  libraries,  acting  in  con- 
junction with  the  public  schools.  The  wonder  of  Europe  is 
the  amazing  progress  of  the  United  States,  accomplished  by 
enterprise,  inventive  genius  and  intellectual  superiority.  And 
yet  those  are  but  the  product  of  our  schools  and  libraries, 
sending  forth  inventors,  poets,  authors,  statesmen,  jurists 
and  divines. 

A  boy  of  humble  parentage  comes  out  of  our  public  schools, 
he  applies  himself  assiduously  to  master  the  books  free  at 
hand,  and  lo,  a  Lincoln,  a  Beecher,  a  Blaine,  a  Morse,  or  an 
Edison  lives  to  elevate  and  glorify  the  race. 

Or  perhaps  a  boy  after  leaving  the  public  school  goes  to 
work  at  a  bench  in  a  factory,  or  upon  a  farm,  or  enters  upon 
a  business  career ;  with  a  library  at  hand  and  wise  use  of  his 
time  he  grows  in  knowledge,  his  wisdom  sheds  its  light  upon 
his  fellowmen,  and  his  fraternal  spirit  warms  all  with  whom 


THE  DEDICATION  67 

he  comes  in  contact.  Honest,  faithful  and  true  to  all  the 
duties  of  life,  he  may  remain  a  quiet,  unobtrusive  citizen,  con- 
tent to  fill  a  humble  sphere  in  life.  It  is  such  as  these  that 
make  up  American  citizenship.  It  is  such  as  these  that  form 
the  anchor  and  stay  of  American  institutions. 

John  Sherman  wrote  to  a  young  man :  "  Learn  to  love  your 
books,  for  there  is  pleasure,  friendship  and  instruction  in 
books." 

The  public  library  instills  a  love  for  books  by  creating  a 
taste  for  reading  and  a  taste  for  reading  is  a  taste  of  para- 
dise.   Happy  indeed  is  he  who  can  say  from  his  heart : 

My  books  are  friends  whose  cheerful  greeting 
Delights  my  heart  with  each  new  meeting; 
With  them  I  take  the  greatest  pleasure; 
Enjoy  their  wit  in  fullest  measure. 
When  e'er  I  feel  the  need,  or  yearning 
For  knowledge,  wisdom,  counsel,  learning, 
I  steal  away  to  quiet  nooks 
To  interview  my  faithful  books.* 

Every  citizen  —  even  the  humblest  —  can  enter  the  pub- 
lic library  with  a  sense  of  ownership,  for  it  is  maintained  by 
his  own  contribution  with  that  of  others.  He  feels  that  he  is 
at  home  and  entitled  to  share  the  privileges  which  surround 
him.  The  people  of  a  community  animated  by  such  a  spirit 
soon  become  a  reading  community,  and  a  reading  community 
soon  becomes  an  educated  community. 

In  1893  some  of  the  prominent  ladies  of  Van  Wert,  realiz- 
ing the  great  good  to  be  derived  from  a  library  free  to  all  who 
would  aid  in  the  enterprise,  incorporated  The  Van  Wert 
Library  Association.  Without  books  or  money,  except  such 
as  they  could  hope  to  secure  from  donations,  the  prospect  of 
success  was  anything  but  flattering.  But  nothing  daunted  the 
ladies  entered  vigorously  upon  the  work.  They  canvassed  the 
town  for  subscriptions  and  gave  entertainments  in  aid  of  the 
project  until  a  nucleus  of  a  circulating  library  was  formed. 
Any  person  who  contributed  three  dollars  each  year  was  per- 
mitted to  share  in  the  use  of  the  library.  So  heartily  were  they 
encouraged  in  the  work  and  so  enthusiastic  and  persevering 
were  they  in  their  eflforts,  that  at  the  end  of  a  year  or  so 

*  Original  with  the  speaker. 


€8  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

they  had  a  collection  of  600  books,  placed  in  charge  of  a  lady 
librarian  in  a  general  reading-room  rented  by  the  Association 
for  library  purposes.  The  annual  dues  paid  by  the  patrons  of 
the  library  were  only  sufficient  to  pay  the  running  expenses, 
leaving  but  scant  means  to  add  new  books.  Notwithstanding 
many  and  varied  discouragements,  the  ladies  persevered  in 
their  good  work  until  the  library  became  so  generally  appre- 
ciated that  in  1896  the  Common  Council  of  Van  Wert  voted 
a  tax  of  three-tenths  of  a  mill  in  aid  of  the  library;  realizing 
about  $575  annually  for  that  purpose.  This  served  to  pay 
running  expenses  and  together  with  the  money  realized  from 
the  dues  of  patrons  furnished  a  small  income  upon  which  the 
library  could  be  maintained. 

The  field  for  the  work  was,  however,  so  large  and  the 
means  so  inadequate  and  the  future  was  so  dependent  upon 
constant  and  unremitting  effort,  that  the  ladies,  although  justly 
proud  of  what  had  been  accomplished,  might  well  feel  appre- 
hensive for  the  future  when  their  personal  efforts  should  cease. 
A  like  library  established  some  years  before  had  finally  gone 
into  bankruptcy,  and  it  was  only  too  apparent  that  this  also 
might  fail  if  not  placed  upon  a  firm  and  enduring  foundation. 

It  was  at  this  stage  that  the  will  of  John  Sanford  Brumback 
was  made  public,  providing  for  the  gift  to  the  people  of  Van 
Wert  County  of  a  splendid  building  in  which  forever  to  main- 
tain a  free  public  library  by  the  following  clause  in  the  will: 

"  It  is  my  will  and  desire  that  my  said  dear  wife  and  chil- 
dren expend  sufficient  of  my  estate  willed  to  them  in  items  one 
and  two  to  carry  out  my  wishes  known  to  them  by  the  erection 
and  gift  of  a  library  building,  something  after  the  plans  and 
designs  I  have  prepared  for  that  purpose;  provided,  and  this 
item  is  upon  the  express  condition,  that  my  said  wife  and  chil- 
dren can  make  arrangements  satisfactory  to  them  with  the  city 
of  Van  Wert,  or  if  they  desire  and  think  best,  with  Van  Wert 
County,  for  a  location  for  said  building  and  the  maintenance 
of  the  library  to  be  placed  therein." 

Before  going  on  to  what  has  been  accomplished  under  this 
provision,  let  us  take  a  cursory  view  of  the  life  of  the  man 
who  made  possible  the  firm  establishment  of  a  public  library  in 
Van  Wert  County  to  bless  present  and  future  generations. 

[The  biography  here  omitted  is  embodied  in  the  first  chap- 
ter] . 

Had  J.  S.  Brumback  received  a  liberal  education,  such  as 


THE  DEDICATION  69 

most  boys  receive  nowadays,  there  is  no  station  in  life  his 
natural  ability,  industrious  habits  and  moral  worth  would  not 
have  eminently  fitted  him  to  fill. 

It  was  never  said  of  J.  S.  Brumback  that  he  was  otherwise 
than  perfectly  fair,  honest  and  just  in  every  business  trans- 
action. No  man  ever  acquired  wealth  and  position  in  a  com- 
munity without  arousing  the  jealousy  of  some  less  fortunate. 
And  yet,  although  J.  S.  Brumback  did  business  in  Van  Wert 
for  over  thirty-five  years,  first  in  the  dry-goods  business  and 
then  as  a  banker,  never  was  he  accused  of  making  a  dollar 
dishonestly.  He  was  shrewd,  far-seeing,  and  expected  every 
man  to  fulfill  his  contracts,  but  unjust  and  oppressive  —  never. 

His  heart  was  tender  as  a  child's ;  his  sympathy  went  out  to 
the  needy  and  distressed.  And  many  in  Van  Wert  County 
will  bear  me  witness  that  when  J.  S.  Brumback  had  it  in  his 
power  to  profit  by  their  misfortunes,  he  did  not  do  so,  but, 
instead,  helped  them  out  of  trouble  at  no  small  cost  of  money, 
time  and  eflfort. 

His  judgment  was  so  wise  and  his  perception  so  unerring, 
that  his  opinion  was  constantly  sought  by  people  in  all  walks 
of  life.  No  one  appealed  to  him  in  vain  for  assistance  in  a 
righteous  cause;  whether  it  was  alms  to  the  poor,  aid  to  his 
relations,  encouragement  to  the  downhearted,  succor  to  the 
unfortunate,  or  a  donation  for  the  public  good,  he  always  gave 
freely  when  merit  demanded.  In  short,  in  the  words  of 
Shakespeare : 

His  life  was  gentle;  and  the  elements 

So  mixed  in  him,  that  nature  might  stand  up 

And  say  to  all  the  world  —  This  Was  a  Man. 

Such  a  man,  with  such  a  heart  full  of  philanthropy,  could 
not  die  without  remembering  his  fellowmen,  if  it  could  be 
accomplished  in  justice  to  his  own  family,  toward  whom  he 
recognized  his  first  duty.  So  when  he  came  to  draw  his  will, 
he  did  not  conceal  what  he  had  in  mind  and  secretly  consult  a 
lawyer,  but  openly,  as  he  had  lived,  he  called  his  family  around 
him  and  freely  expressed  his  thoughts.  He  said  he  had  long 
felt  like  doing  something  for  Van  Wert,  and  that  he  knew  of 
no  way  in  which  so  much  good  could  come  to  his  old  friends 
and  associates  and  their  children,  as  through  a  public  library. 
He  said: 

"  I  would  like  firmly  to  establish  for  them  such  an  institution, 


70  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

if  you  are  all  willing.  If  any  of  you  feel  I  ought  not  to  do 
so,  I  will  dismiss  it  from  my  thoughts." 

It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  in  the  discussion  which  followed 
the  vote  was  unanimous.  But  even  then,  when  I  was  drawing 
the  will,  he  said : 

"  I  want  you  to  draw  it  so  as  to  make  it  entirely  optional. 
If  hereafter  any  of  my  heirs  should  not  be  satisfied  to  carry 
out  my  wish,  I  want  it  so  that  it  will  not  be  obligatory." 

And  so  the  will  was  drawn;  and  under  it  the  magnificent 
steel  and  stone  fireproof  building  has  been  constructed  for 
"  The  Brumback  Library,"  on  the  condition  made  by  the 
heirs  that  it  be  forever  maintained  by  Van  Wert  County 
under  that  name,  in  honor  of  the  donor. 

The  unanimity  with  which  the  heirs  have  carried  out  the 
wish  expressed  in  the  will  bears  testimony  to  the  afifection 
and  veneration  felt  for  the  husband  and  father.  What  a 
glorious  Hfe  to  live,  and  be  thus  remembered.  Had  J.  S. 
Brumback  spent  his  life  in  a  sordid  pursuit  of  wealth,  he 
could  have  accumulated  a  much  larger  fortune.  Instead,  he 
wisely  chose  to  make  good  use  of  his  money  as  he  went 
along.  Liberal,  but  modest  in  his  mode  of  life,  he  educated 
his  children  and  aided  them  to  become  established  in  life, 
and  when  he  passed  away  they  could  not  but  feel  that  they  in 
turn  owed  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  that  never  could  be  repaid. 

"  Gratitude  is  the  fairest  blossom  which  springs  from  the 
soul ;  and  the  heart  of  man  knoweth  none  more  fragrant." 

One  thing  to  be  especially  noted  in  the  will  is  the  provision 
for  a  county  library.  The  suggestion  was  a  noble  concep- 
tion, full  of  great  possibilities.  Up  to  the  date  of  this  will, 
no  thought  apparently  had  ever  been  directed  to  the  establish- 
ment of  a  library  owned  and  maintained  by  a  county. 

The  population  of  our  cities  and  towns  are  less  in  need 
of  the  advantages  of  a  free  public  library  than  are  the 
rural  communities,  since  books  in  the  centers  of  population 
are  readily  accessible  and  pass  from  hand  to  hand  by  loan 
and  exchange.  Not  so  in  the  country,  where  people  are 
widely  separated  and  books  not  so  plentiful  on  the  family 
shelves. 

There  is  a  great  yearning  among  the  youth  of  the  country 
districts  for  more  of  the  opportunities  and  pleasures  that  go 
to  make  up  life  in  the  twentieth  century,  causing  a  great 
drift  to  the  cities  and  towns,  to  the  detriment  of  the  national 


THE  DEDICATION  71 

welfare.  If  the  farms  are  to  be  kept  populated,  rural  life 
must  be  made  attractive,  and  opportunity  must  there  be 
afforded  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  literature  and  to  enter 
the  world  of  knowledge. 

When  it  was  first  proposed  to  make  the  Brumback  Library 
a  county  institution,  many  looked  askance  and  could  hardly 
believe  it  practicable.  Some  of  the  residents  in  different  parts 
of  the  county  have  thought  such  a  library  could  be  of  but 
little  or  no  advantage  to  them.  They  little  realized  how  books 
are  now  being  circulated  in  our  great  cities  many  miles  from 
the  central  library ;  and  there  is  no  reason  why  they  cannot  be 
had  almost  as  freely  in  distant  parts  of  the  county  as  in  the 
county-seat  itself.  The  only  need  is  the  books  themselves, 
and  they  will  surely  be  acquired  in  a  few  years  in  sufficient 
number  to  supply  the  whole  county.  Under  a  sub-station  or 
branch  library  system,  books  will  be  sent  to  stations  in  distant 
localities,  there  to  be  called  for  and  returned  when  read. 
Ready  means  for  their  transfer  is  afforded  in  this  day  of 
constant  communication  and  transportation   facilities. 

Of  course,  the  inauguration  of  a  county  library  was  not 
accomplished  without  much  effort  and  many  discouragements. 
When  I  drew  a  bill  to  be  presented  to  the  Ohio  Legislature, 
to  permit  the  county  commissioners  to  bind  the  county  to 
maintain  a  library  by  taxation,  I  believed  its  passage  could 
only  be  secured  by  the  most  strenuous  efforts.  When,  how- 
ever, the  farmers  of  Van  Wert  County  assembled  in  their 
granges,  and  after  full  discussion  declared  almost  unani- 
mously in  favor  of  such  a  library,  I  knew  their  voice  must  be 
heeded  and  their  intelligence  receive  the  reward  of  success. 
By  the  assistance  of  leading  citizens  both  in  town  and  county 
the  bill  became  a  law,  and  later  the  county  commissioners 
took  the  necessary  action  under  the  law  to  execute  a  tripartite 
agreement  with  the  Ladies'  Library  Association  and  the  heirs 
of  J.  S.  Brumback. 

By  the  terms  of  that  contract,  the  Ladies'  Library  Associa- 
tion turned  over  to  the  Brumback  Library  all  the  books 
—  some  1, 800  in  number  —  belonging  to  the  Association;  the 
county  agreed  forever  to  maintain  the  library  by  the  levy 
of  an  annual  tax  upon  all  the  taxable  property  of  the  county; 
and  the  Brumback  heirs  agreed  to  construct,  and  furnish 
complete  and  ready  for  use,  a  stone  building  in  one  of  the 
parks  of  the  city  of  Van  Wert,  the  county-seat  of  the  county. 


72  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

wherein  the  library  might  have  a  home,  and  its  influence  be 
extended  in  ever  widening  circles. 

How  well  the  heirs  have  much  more  than  fulfilled  the  terms 
of  the  contract,  let  the  splendid  building  and  the  furnishings 
—  substantial,  commodious  and  beautiful  in  every  detail  — 
speak.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  no  expense  has  been  spared 
to  make  it  the  best.  From  the  solid  stone  walls  three  feet 
thick,  to  the  steel  truss  tile-covered  roofs,  stability  and  grace 
have  been  sought.  Upon  entering  the  arched  portal  and 
obtaining  a  view  of  the  commodious  rooms,  lofty  arched  and 
panelled  ceilings,  mosaic  floors,  marble  mantel  and  wainscot- 
ing, polished  oak  woodwork  and  furniture,  with  space  for 
40,000  books  and  more  —  it  certainly  must  be  said  that  Van 
Wert  County  is  indeed  fortunate  in  having  had  J,  S.  Bruni- 
back  live  within  its  borders. 

Since  it  was  thought  that  the  ladies  would  exercise  a  most 
beneficent  influence  in  the  management  and  work  of  the 
Brumback  Library,  and  to  keep  it  out  of  political  broils  as 
much  as  possible,  the  tripartite  agreement  provides  that  the 
library  shall  be  managed  by  a  non-partisan  board  of  seven 
trustees;  three  to  be  appointed  by  the  county  commissioners, 
two  by  the  Ladies'  Library  Association  and  two  by  the  Brum- 
back heirs.  Their  term  of  office  is  for  three  years,  and  in 
case  any  appointment  is  not  made  by  the  parties  designated, 
the  city  council  of  Van  Wert  is  to  make  the  appointment. 

It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  governing  body  of  the  library 
is  selected  by  various  interests,  and  the  best  qualified  persons 
for  such  a  work  will,  in  all  probability,  be  secured. 

The  income  of  the  library  under  the  tax  levy  now  pro- 
duces nearly  $5,000  per  annum.  Twice  this  sum  could  well 
be  utilized.  Under  the  new  decennial  valuation  of  property, 
this  amount  will  be  substantially  increased.  Only  lack  of 
means  will  prevent  the  library  from  at  once  entering  upon  its 
full  usefulness.  To  fill  the  demands  of  the  whole  county 
under  the  sub-station  or  branch  library  system  a  large  library 
is  necessary,  and  the  fear  is,  that  in  the  beginning  the  sup- 
ply will  not  be  equal  to  the  demand.  If,  however,  the  people 
will  be  tolerant,  a  few  years  ought  to  suffice  to  accumulate  an 
extensive  and  valuable  collection  of  books,  embracing  all  de- 
partments of  literature. 

When  the  people  once  realize  how  much  good  is  to  be  had 
from  the  few  cents  collected  from  each  for  the  library,  it  is 


THE  DEDICATION  73 

believed  a  strong  sentiment  will  grow  up  to  increase  the  levy 
until  a  sum  can  be  had  adequate  to  meet  all  demands.  It  is 
certainly  better  that  people  should  tax  themselves  for  libraries 
and  schools,  rather  than  for  almshouses,  jails  and  other 
asylums  of  misery. 

As  the  first  to  inaugurate  a  county  library,  Van  Wert  County 
owes  it  to  herself  and  the  world  to  see  that  it  is  made  a  com- 
plete success.  I  doubt  not  that,  with  such  an  example,  other 
counties  in  Ohio  will  soon  take  up  the  work  and  that  the 
system  will  extend  to  other  states,  until  the  results  accomplished 
will  be  tremendous. 

The  prominence  Van  Wert  County  will  receive  as  the  pio- 
neer in  such  a  work  cannot  but  be  a  proud  distinction,  and  of 
the  greatest  benefit  to  all  her  people.  After  the  bill  was 
drafted  for  the  benefit  of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert 
County,  Cincinnati  took  up  the  cue  and  procured  the  enactment 
of  a  law  extending  the  field  of  her  library  work  to  all  of 
Hamilton  County.  Toledo  and  other  localities  are  considering 
the  same  action. 

The  demands  of  the  time  are  for  greater  literary  advan- 
tages, and  fuller  opportunities  to  learn  all  the  wonders  of 
science  and  the  achievements  of  the  past. 

Give  the  people  full  opportunity  for  mental  culture  and  free 
access  to  the  world  of  books,  and  they  will  not  be  slow  to 
wander  with  Proctor  into  the  realm  of  space,  to  learn  the  won- 
drous stories  of  suns  that  glow,  and  systems  that  circle  there; 
or  to  go  with  Laplace  to  other  worlds  to  hear  how  ages  since 
the  rock-ribbed  hills  and  ancient  sea  were  but  a  fiery  cloud,  a 
morning  mist  of  creation.  They  will  quickly  understand  how 
Cuvier  finds  a  bone  and  builds  the  mammoth  to  which  it 
belongs,  and  reads  the  hoary  rocks  which  tell  of  primeval  seas 
and  towering  forests.  With  Carlyle  they  will  pass  through  the 
terrible  scenes  of  the  French  Revolution;  and  from  John 
Stuart  Mill  soon  learn  the  true  relation  of  economy  and  thrift 
to  supply  and  demand.  Who  can  doubt  that  wisdom,  good 
judgment  and  wise  action  must  result  from  such  instruction? 

Prosperity  and  success  have  ever  attended  upon  intelligence. 
And  so  it  is  that  the  elevation  and  advancement  of  the  whole 
race  to  the  higher  planes  of  social  development  and  fraternal 
brotherhood  is  along  the  road  of  a  wider  dissemination  of 
knowledge.  Nor  is  the  field  of  human  eflfort  by  any  means 
exhausted.     Indeed,  it  is  scarcely  entered  upon.    Vast  fields 


74  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

of  learning  yet  unexplored,  and  heights  of  intellectual  attain- 
ment beyond  belief,  await  those  who  attempt  them. 

Great  problems  yet  remain  to  be  solved,  the  greatest  indeed 
that  have  ever  confronted  mankind.  The  true  relation  of  capi- 
tal and  labor,  the  proper  union  of  diversified  interests,  the 
economical  administration  of  public  affairs  and  many  others 
of  equal  importance.  In  short,  all  the  great  questions  that 
arise  as  population  increases  and  the  human  race  strives  to 
attain  the  greatest  good  for  the  greatest  number  must  be 
determined,  and  determined  rightly.  In  these  great  contro- 
versies, destined  to  test  the  stability  of  human  institutions, 
the  wisdom  drawn  from  the  whole  past  experience  of  man- 
kind can  alone  lead  the  race  aright. 

The  people  of  the  great  Middle  West  have  in  the  past  been 
chiefly  occupied  in  developing  their  material  resources.  The 
time  is  come  when  they  are  to  devote  more  attention  to  literary 
and  scientific  pursuits.  That  intellectual  giants  will  be  forth- 
coming cannot  be  doubted,  and  they  will  be  the  product  of  just 
such  institutions  as  the  Brumback  Library. 

The  libraries  of  a  community  are  the  foster-mothers  of 
intellectual  prominence.  Many  of  the  foremost  statesmen, 
historians,  poets  and  orators  of  America  have  been  Massa- 
chusetts men  —  the  product  of  a  state  that  boasts  the  great 
libraries  of  Cambridge  and  Boston,  and  where  nearly  every 
village  has  a  public  library.  Bancroft,  Prescott,  Motley,  Park- 
man,  and  Fiske,  as  historians;  Bryant,  Longfellow,  Lowell, 
Holmes,  Emerson,  and  Whittier,  as  poets;  Winthrop,  Choate, 
Everett,  Sumner,  and  Wendell  Phillips,  as  orators,  have 
brought  imperishable  fame  to  themselves  and  the  Old  Bay 
State.  Ohio  has  already  taken  rank  as  a  mother  of  presidents. 
Her  sons  are  yet  to  attain  still  higher  pinnacles  of  success,  and 
surprise  the  world  with  their  versatile  genius. 

In  opening  a  library  designed  to  aid  in  these  great  accom- 
plishments, we  are  starting  upon  its  career  an  educational 
institution  whose  silent  but  wholesome  influence  will  extend 
through  all  the  future.  When  we  think  of  the  character  the 
Brumback  Library  will  mould,  the  pleasure  it  will  give,  and  the 
knowledge  it  will  spread,  we  cannot  but  realize  this  is  indeed  a 
momentous  occasion.  As  said  by  Senator  Hoar  of  Massa- 
chusetts : 

The  opening  of  a  library  is  an  event  of  the  highest  importance 
in  any  community.    It  is  one  of  the  institutions  which  tend  to  build 


THE  DEDICATION  75 

up  and  adorn  the  local  life.  There  is  no  city  so  great  and  renowned 
that  it  does  not  wear  its  library  as  the  chief  jewel  of  its  crown. 
There  is  no  town  so  humble  that  a  good  library  will  not  raise  it  to 
distinction  and  honor.  However  excellent  may  be  their  schools, 
however  admirable  the  training  that  the  children  get  at  home,  the 
community  where  there  is  no  good  library  is  but  half -educated. 

What  considerate  man  can  weigh  the  dollars  it  will  cost  to 
maintain  the  library  against  the  immortal  minds  it  will  train. 
One  youth  kept  from  a  dissolute  and  vicious  life  by  the  charms 
of  literature  supplied  from  its  shelves  will  more  than  repay 
the  expense  of  years.  God  has  implanted  his  divine  essence 
in  the  mind  of  man  to  be  trained  and  educated  for  good  citi- 
zenship on  earth,  and  immortality  hereafter.  This  library, 
engaged  in  broadening  and  ennobling  the  mind  of  man,  will 
kindle  a  flame,  "  which  will  shine  not  merely  when  every  arti- 
ficial beam  is  extinguished,  but  when  the  affrighted  sun  has 
fled  away  from  the  heavens." 

Today  we  enter  upon  a  new  century.  Today  mankind  all 
over  the  world  is  contemplating  the  past  and  standing  tiptoe 
to  peer  into  the  future.  Surpassing  day,  transcendent  day. 
All  living  millions  will  never  see  its  like  again. 

Upon  this  natal  day  of  the  Twentieth  Century,  while  loving 
congratulations  are  echoing  around  the  globe,  on  behalf  of 
John  Sanford  Brumback,  now  gone  beyond  the  stars,  but 
whose  spirit  hovers  near;  on  behalf  of  his  wife  and  children, 
who  have  striven  as  best  they  knew  to  carry  out  the  will  of  him 
they  loved,  I,  now  and  here,  present  to  the  Trustees  of  the 
Brumback  Library,  acting  on  behalf  of  all  the  people,  this 
building,  wherein  it  hath  been  covenanted  forever  to  maintain 
a  free  public  library. 

And  may  every  man,  woman  and  child  in  Van  Wert  County 
reap  the  benefit  to  be  obtained  by  delving  into  the  mysteries 
upon  its  shelves,  and  their  descendants  in  turn  drink  deep  at 
the  "  Pierian  Spring." 

ADDRESS  OF  ACCEPTANCE  BY  JUDGE  H.  C.  GLENN 

With  uncovered  head  I  make  my  most  gracious  bow  to  Mrs. 
Brumback  and  her  family.  While  I  address  them  I  also 
address  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  present. 

I  have  never  received  a  summons  to  duty  which  I  obeyed 
with  such  supreme  pleasure  as  the  present  one,  of  accepting 


76  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

from  this  family,  in  the  name  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Library 
and  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Van  Wert  County,  yonder  well- 
proportioned  and  exquisitely  finished  and  furnished  library 
building.  The  little  library  of  yesterday  which  has  grown  to 
be  one  of  considerable  proportion,  has  a  warm  place  in  my 
memory.  I  remember  so  well  the  time  when,  and  by  whom, 
was  first  conceived  the  plan  by  which  it  was  hoped  to  provide 
for  the  people  of  Van  Wert  a  free  public  library.  I,  also,  well 
remember  the  dozen  true  and  philanthropic  women  who  organ- 
ized themselves  into  a  society  to  promote  this  plan.  The  plan 
succeeded,  but  would  not  have  done  so  had  not  the  city  pro- 
vided through  taxation  for  the  support  of  the  library. 

I  have  always  thought  that  the  fate  of  the  enterprise  was 
determined,  and  that  success  became  assured,  at  our  own 
home.  An  entertainment  had  been  arranged  by  the  ladies  for 
the  benefit  of  the  library  fund.  Everybody  was  invited  and 
nearly  everybody  came.  The  children  came  with  their  pennies 
and  nickles  and  dimes;  the  grown  people  came  bringing  their 
quarters,  their  halves  and  their  dollars;  but  the  acme  of  suc- 
cess was  reached  when  it  was  ascertained  that  Mrs.  G.  H. 
Marsh  had  sent  her  check  for  a  generous  sum  and  that  Mr.  J.  S. 
Brumback  had  brought  his  check  for  fifty  dollars. 

It  is  also  my  good  pleasure  to  know  something  of  the 
history  of  this  library  building.  Aside  from  his  own  family, 
Mrs.  Glenn  and  I  were  the  first  persons  to  whom  Mr.  Brum- 
back communicated  his  purpose  of  erecting  a  library  building 
and  of  donating  the  same  to  the  public.  It  was  not  his  orig- 
inal idea  to  make  this  a  post-mortem  gift.  When  we  talked 
with  him,  he  had  a  hope  that  he  might  so  far  recover  his 
health  as  to  be  physically  able  to  look  after  the  erection  of 
the  building  himself,  and  with  his  own  hand  turn  it  over  to 
the  public.  This  idea  had  progressed  so  far  that  he  had 
plans  prepared  by  an  architect,  which  I  understand  to  be  the 
same  plans,  in  the  main,  after  which  the  building  has  been 
constructed  —  changed  and  added  to  only  so  far  as  modern 
architects'  experience  and  good  taste,  convenience  and  utility 
have  suggested.  His  hope  of  recovery  was  only  a  hope.  He 
informed  us  that  he  had  talked  the  matter  over  with  his  fam- 
ily, who  heartily  acquiesced,  so  that  whether  he  recovered  or 
not  the  library  would  be  a  fixed  fact,  unless  conditions  should 
exist  rendering  the  same  impracticable. 

My  friend,  Mr.  O.  S.  Brumback,  in  his  presentation  ad- 


THE  DEDICATION  77 

dress,  referred  to  one  point  which  I  wish  to  emphasize  as  a 
matter  of  justice  to  the  living.  It  is  this:  this  building  has 
not  been  erected  in  pursuance  of  any  mandatory  provisions 
of  Mr.  Brumback's  will.  There  is  no  such  provision  in  his 
will.  Every  reference  to  the  library  is  in  the  form  of  a 
request  or  wish  on  the  testator's  part.  I  am  satisfied,  how- 
ever, that  there  would  have  been  such  mandatory  provision 
had  he  not  been  entirely  satisfied  that  the  same  was  unneces- 
sary. Any  objections,  or  rather  failure  to  concur  on  the 
part  of  Mrs.  Brumback,  his  direct  legatee,  or  of  any  one  of 
his  sons  or  daughters,  his  ultimate  legatees,  would  have  de- 
feated the  enterprise. 

This  does  not  detract  from  Mr.  Brumback's  generosity 
or  our  obligations  of  gratitude  to  him,  but  extends  the  circle 
of  our  benefactors  and  creates  new  objects  of  gratitude.  This 
is  both  refreshing  and  commendable.  In  an  age  when  the 
chief  end  of  heirs  and  legatees  often  seems  to  be  to  have 
and  to  hold  the  ancestral  estate,  and  when  strife  often  results 
as  to  which  shall  obtain  the  lion's  share,  in  this  family  the 
only  strife  seems  to  have  been,  if  strife  there  was,  as  to 
which  would  be  the  most  liberal  and  literal  in  carrying  out 
the  ancestral  wish. 

Having  said  thus  much,  there  remains  but  little  more  for 
me  to  say,  or  do,  than  to  proclaim,  in  the  presence  of  this  vast 
audience,  in  behalf  of  the  trustees  of  this  library,  and  in  be- 
half of  the  citizens  of  the  county,  whose  servants  they  are, 
that  yonder  great  store-house  of  knowledge  is  accepted  for 
the  uses  and  purposes  for  which  it  has  been  presented.  And 
knowing  the  trustees  as  I  do,  and  knowing  the  sentiment  and 
temper  of  the  people,  and  full  of  confidence  in  the  future, 
I  do  feel  perfectly  safe  in  promising  that  the  same  shall  never 
be  perverted  from  the  use  intended.  Because  of  its  being  so 
massive  and  substantially  built  I  do  not  see  why  the  end  of 
the  century,  the  threshhold  of  which  we  are  just  passing, 
should  not  see  this  building  still  standing  and  the  light  of 
knowledge,  education  and  morality,  radiating  from  it  in  all 
directions  and  lighting  up  the  dark  places  of  this  community, 
as  the  great  luminary  of  the  day  sends  out  its  rays  in  every 
direction,  illuminating  the  dark  corners  of  the  Universe  of 
God. 

I  wish  I  did  not  have  to  close  here.  Bear  with  me  in  one 
more  thought.     If  it  be  true,  as  is  the  theory  of  some  and 


78  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

perhaps  the  hope  of  many,  that  the  spirits  of  our  departed 
friends  are  ever  with  us  —  surrounding  us  as  guardian  angels 
—  and  that  they  are  not  strangers  to  the  scenes  and  incidents 
of  the  present  life;  I  say,  if  this  be  so,  how  the  happiness, 
though  in  paradise,  of  Georgia  Glenn,  Mary  Leeson  and  J.  S. 
Brumback  must  be  enhanced  this  day,  in  beholding  this 
fruition  of  their  hopes,  labors  and  ambition. 

Again  allow  me  to  say  that  the  benefits  flowing  from  this 
magnificent  library  building  and  its  contents  will  not  be  con- 
fined to  the  present  age  or  generation.  After  the  last  sur- 
vivor of  this  vast  audience  shall  have  been  gathered  to  the 
fathers,  hundreds  and  thousands  of  grateful  men,  women  and 
children,  deciphering  the  inscription  engraved  with  mallet 
and  chisel  over  yon  grand  entrance,  will  roll  the  name, 
"  Brumback,"  as  a  sweet  morsel  under  their  tongues  and  on 
their  lips  sweet  gratitude  will  lovingly  and  lastingly  linger. 

DEDICATORY   PRAYER   OF   REV.    I.    D.    WORMAN 

O  Lord,  our  God,  we  praise  Thee  as  the  source  of  every 
good  impulse ;  and  especially  for  the  gift  of  Thy  Son  in  whom 
Thou  hast  taught  us  that  we  should  not  live  for  self,  but 
unto  Thee  and  our  fellow-men. 

We  thank  Thee  for  the  benevolence  of  him  who  conceived 
this  work  which  we  now  dedicate  and  for  the  affectionate 
faithfulness  of  those  whom  he  charged  with  the  execution 
of  it.  May  we  receive  it  from  them  with  grateful  hearts, 
and  by  Thy  grace  make  a  proper  and  rightful  use  of  this 
beautiful  building  and  the  library  it  contains. 

And  now,  we  beseech  Thee,  O  God,  sanctify  this  building 
for  library  uses.  Do  Thou  protect  and  preserve  it;  and  may 
the  citizens  of  this  county  of  Van  Wert  make  such  use  of 
the  same  as  shall  testify  to  their  appreciation  of  this  gift,  and 
bring  to  them  and  their  children  the  greatest  benefit. 

May  they  bold  it  as  a  sacred  trust  to  be  cherished  and  so 
used  that  it  may  be  a  blessing  in  this  community.  To  this  end 
do  Thou  give  wisdom  and  guidance  to  those  who  have  been, 
and  shall  be,  chosen  to  care  for  this  building  and  library, 
that  it  may  be  so  managed  and  such  books  found  therein  as 
shall  make  it  a  means  for  the  intellectual,  moral  and  spiritual 
uplifting  of  the  people.  May  it  be  to  us  a  memorial  of  the 
public  spirit  and  charity  of  the  giver,  and  of  the  filial  zeal  of 


THE  DEDICATION  79 

those  who  have  so  nobly  wrought  out  the  purpose  of  their 
father.  May  the  presence  of  this  building  be  a  benediction  to 
the  citizens  of  this  county  and  town,  ever  reminding  us  that, 
as  good  citizens,  we  must  have  an  interest  in  the  public  wel- 
fare. These  and  all  other  favors  and  mercies  we  ask  in  the 
name  of  the  Christ,  our  Lord.    Amen. 

ADDRESS  OF  STATE  LIBRARIAN,   HON.  C.  B.  GALBREATH 

A  first  visit  to  your  city  and  county  could  not  be  made  under 
circumstances  more  pleasant  and  inspiring.  This  is  an  aus- 
picious occasion.  You  are  assembled  here  to  inaugurate  a 
work  worthy  of  the  new  century.  In  the  years  to  come, 
succeeding  generations  will  look  back  with  pride  to  the  use 
that  you  have  made  of  this  day. 

The  formal  dedication  of  yonder  building  is  more  than  an 
event  of  local  interest.  It  has  attracted  attention  in  other 
counties  and  other  states.  It  is,  therefore,  not  unfitting  that 
a  representative  of  the  library  interests  of  Ohio  should  partici- 
pate in  these  ceremonies. 

To  popularize  education  and  bring  its  attainment  within  the 
reach  of  all  is  an  ideal  of  genuine  reform  and  an  object  of 
wise  statesmanship.  The  free  public  library  is  an  educational 
institution.  As  such  it  is  entitled  to  the  support  of  the  com- 
munity and  the  favor  of  the  state. 

The  best  thing  that  a  youth  can  take  from  school,  along 
with  the  rudiments  of  learning,  is  a  taste  for  healthful  litera- 
ture. That  makes  books  his  teachers  when  school  days  are 
ended.  That  unrolls  to  his  eyes  the  page  of  knowledge  "  rich 
with  the  spoils  of  time,"  That  makes  him  the  heir  of  the 
ages.  All  this  is  understood.  It  was  known  and  appreciated 
half  a  century  ago.  There  are  those  here  today  who  can 
remember  when  many  neighborhoods  had  little  collections  of 
books,  which  with  the  free  school,  the  village  lyceum  and  the 
rural  debating  society  sent  forth  young  men  to  places  of  trust 
and  honor.  Then  came  a  period  of  reaction.  Ten  years  ago 
in  Ohio  the  free  library  was  practically  unknown.  A  hopeful 
sign  of  the  times  is  the  revival  of  interest  in  this  important 
educational  agency. 

Among  the  agricultural  counties  of  the  state.  Van  Wert 
takes  the  lead  in  the  library  movement  and  sets  an  example 
whose  influence  will  doubtless  be  felt  at  the  end  of  the  century. 


80  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Think  of  what  the  success  of  this  experiment  means  to  the 
people  of  this  city  and  county,  and  you  will  still  be  unable 
to  measure  the  beneficent  results  of  the  work  whose  founda- 
tions you  have  laid  so  wisely  and  so  well.  The  friends  of 
education  beyond  your  borders  are  watching  you.  Hold  aloft 
the  standard  that  you  have  raised  and  other  counties  will 
follow.  Great  is  your  opportunity  and  fortunate  the  means 
provided  to  meet  it.  You  may  well  feel  proud  of  that  beauti- 
ful, substantial,  well-equipped  building,  and  the  collection  of 
books  now  ready  to  go  forth  on  their  mission.  For  this  you 
are  under  obligation,  first  of  all,  to  him  whose  enlightened 
philanthropy  made  possible  the  erection  of  yonder  living 
monument. 

The  character  of  such  a  man  is  a  perpetual  blessing  and 
inspiration.  In  his  presence  we  forget  that  the  world  is 
narrow  and  sordid,  the  soul  glows  with  faith  in  humanity 
and  we  feel  that  Altruria  is  not  far  off  after  all.  This  good 
man  in  life  did  not  seek  official  preferment  or  worldly  honors. 
When  he  bade  farewell  to  earthly  scenes  he  left  to  the  citizens 
of  Van  Wert  County  a  generous  testimonial  of  affectionate 
regard  and  interest  in  their  future  welfare.  Without  seeking 
fame  he  has  found  it  —  how  abundantly  the  future  alone  can 
tell. 

It  is  not  always  safe,  even  when  circumstances  invite,  to 
prophesy.  But  we  may  rest  assured  that  here  at  least  John 
Sanford  Brumback  will  not  be  forgotten.  When  the  great 
generals  of  the  great  wars  and  the  little  generals  of  the  little 
wars  are  fading  memories,  when  the  red  luster  of  conquest 
no  longer  allures,  when  political  masters  have  passed  from 
the  world's  applause  to  oblivion  quick  and  complete,  the  bene- 
factor whose  work  we  dedicate  today  will  live  in  the  grateful 
appreciation  of  this  community. 

Who  were  the  officials  of  Pennsylvania  in  1831?  The  list 
would  contain  for  us  no  familiar  names.  But  he  who  reads 
has  heard  of  Stephen  Girard,  who  in  that  year  bequeathed  a 
princely  fortune  to  education  and  charity.  Who  shape  the 
political  destinies  of  that  commonwealth  today?  Some  of 
them  you  know.  They  are  doubtless  as  worthy  as  their  pred- 
ecessors, but  who  will  recall  them  in  the  years  to  come? 
There  is  one  name,  however,  that  will  endure  within  and  be- 
yond the  borders  of  that  state.  The  coming  generation  will 
know  of  Andrew  Carnegie,  who,  though  not  a  socialist,  is 


THE  DEDICATION  81 

realizing  the  dream  of  Bellamy  in  that  great  cooperative  lit- 
erary store-house,  the  free  public  hbrary  —  the  people's  uni- 
versity. His  work  will  endure,  and  the  monuments  that  he 
is  raising  will  attract  eager  and  grateful  hearts  in  the  pursuit 
of  learning  when  the  century  grows  old. 

The  grandest  gift  that  a  great  soul  can  bestow  is  the  ex- 
pression of  itself  —  its  free,  honest,  living  thought.  The  au- 
thor who  gives  this  confers  a  boon  upon  humanity.  And  he 
who  popularizes  and  perpetuates  the  master  work  of  the 
master  minds  is  likewise  a  benefactor.  Such  is  the  work  of 
the  founder  of  a  library.  It  is  a  happy  thought  that  the  fame 
of  both  is  secure;  that  the  final  verdict  of  time  is  just;  that 
there  is  a  blessed  immortality  in  the  hearts  of  the  children  of 
men  reserved  for  those  who  have  opened  up  the  way  to  wider 
opportunity,  who  have  illumined  it  with  the  ray  of  learning, 
who  have  helped  to  make  our  mortal  labors  light  and  joyous, 
who  have  removed  shackles  from  the  hands  and  burdens  from 
the  shoulders  of  the  world.  Such  has  been  the  service  of  John 
Sanford  Brumback  to  this  community. 

Others  have  assisted  in  this  laudable  enterprise.  The 
Library  Association  of  your  city  that  for  years,  in  the  face  of 
many  obstacles,  kept  up  its  organization  and  thus  prepared 
the  way  for  the  greater  work  that  follows  is  to  be  congratu- 
lated upon  this  occasion.  The  results  of  its  labors  freely 
given  will  encourage  others  who  are  faithfully  working 
towards  the  same  worthy  end. 

Through  the  press  and  other  sources  we  have  learned  that 
the  public  duly  appreciates  the  conduct  of  the  heirs  of  the 
estate  in  their  unselfish  eflForts  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  Mr. 
Brumback  as  expressed  in  his  will.  Nothing  could  be  added, 
perhaps,  to  the  tribute  that  has  already  been  paid  them.  Too 
much  cannot  be  said,  however,  for  the  wisdom  with  which 
the  bequest  has  been  applied.  Provision  has  been  made  for 
the  representation  of  all  interests  on  your  board  of  trustees, 
and  this  body  is  so  constituted  that  the  library  is  not  likely 
to  be  made  the  prey  of  partisan  politics.  In  a  public  library 
tenure  of  office  should  depend  upon  efficient  service  and  that 
alone.  The  details  of  the  work  cannot  be  mastered  in  a  day 
or  a  year.  When  the  lady  in  charge  has  in  her  the  material 
out  of  which  the  good  librarian  is  made,  every  year  adds  to 
the  value  of  her  services.  Changes,  except  for  incompetence, 
are  therefore  to  be  avoided.    To  make  the  library  a  whirligig 


82  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

on  the  political  machine  is  to  expose  it  to  adverse  winds  in 
which  it  will  soon  whirl  its  life  away.  It  is  fortunate  that 
your  board  is  so  constituted  as  to  prevent  this. 

But  the  condition  that  made  yours  a  county  library  is  the 
feature  that  attracts  widest  attention.  Such  a  plan  has  been 
recommended  before,  but  outside  of  one  or  two  large  cities, 
where  corporate  limits  are  almost  coextensive  with  county 
lines,  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  demonstrate  its  practicabil- 
ity. It  is  my  sympathy  with  this  provision  and  my  faith  in 
its  wisdom,  more  than  all  things  else,  that  bring  me  here 
today. 

The  growth  revealed  by  the  recent  census  is  essentially 
the  growth  of  cities  and  towns.  In  many  sections  there  has 
been  an  actual  decline  in  the  rural  population.  This  tends 
still  further  to  isolate  the  country  homes. 

In  these  times  the  city  lad  comes  into  contact  with  the 
electric  currents  of  modern  life,  where  vice  elbows  virtue  in 
the  moving  thoroughfare,  where  poverty  is  found  in  the 
shadow  of  princely  munificence.  Allurements  there  are  to 
the  pitfalls,  but  a  thousand  hands  reach  out  to  lead  in  wis- 
dom's ways.  The  graded  school,  the  college,  the  lecture  hall, 
the  gymnasium,  the  museum,  the  church,  the  library  —  all 
stand  with  doors  invitingly  open. 

The  country  boy  stands  alone,  the  child  of  nature,  whose 
landscape,  horizon-girt,  limits  his  little  world.  The  farm  is 
his  gymnasium,  the  rural  school  his  hall  of  learning,  the 
amphitheater  of  hills  with  over-arching  sky  his  temple  of 
philosophy.  Meager  opportunities,  but  they  have  crowned  his- 
tory's page  with  names  illustrious,  deeds  heroic,  and  character 
exalted.  His  past  is  an  honored  one.  What  of  his  future? 
He  still  has  God's  sunshine,  the  pure  air  of  heaven,  and  an 
environment  that  inspires  liberty  and  independence.  Add  to 
these  gifts  of  nature,  some  of  the  educational  advantages  of 
the  city,  bring  the  graded  school  within  his  reach,  through  the 
medium  of  the  traveling  library  introduce  him  to  the  master 
minds  of  the  ages,  and  he  will  face  the  world,  broad-fronted 
and  square-shouldered,  strong  to  "  breast  the  blows  of  cir- 
cumstances and  make  by  force  his  merit  known."  You  offer 
him  the  companionship  of  books.  What  better  could  be  given  ? 
When  the  long  winter  nights  are  here,  when  the  storm  is  loud 
without,  when  the  snowflakes  silently  fall  and  the  frost  with 
invisible  finger  works  crystal  flowers  on  the  window-pane. 


THE  DEDICATION  83 

seated  by  the  fire  he  will  forget  his  isolation  as  he  follows  the 
printed  page,  and  for  him  — 

"  The  night  shall  be  full  of  music." 

All  honor  to  the  founder  who  remembered  the  boy  and  the 
girl  on  the  farm.  Let  the  example  be  imitated  and  the  rural 
population  of  the  future  will  be,  not  the  peasants,  but  the 
yeomanry  of  the  land,  and  the  country  home  will  remain  the 
foundation  upon  which  the  pillars  of  the  republic  shall  securely 
stand. 

We  have  commended  the  Library  Association  of  your  city. 
We  have  spoken  of  the  bequest  and  the  condition  under  which 
it  has  been  applied.  But  all  these  would  have  been  in  a 
measure  without  result,  had  it  not  been  for  the  intelligent 
appreciation,  sound  judgment,  and  public  spirit  of  your  County 
Commissioners.  They  knew  that  money  expended  in  such  a 
cause  is  a  wise  investment,  and  with  commendable  prompti- 
tude and  unanimity  they  proceeded,  under  the  law,  to  authorize 
the  work  which  has  now  taken  substantial  form.  I  do  not 
know  who  your  commissioners  are,  but  they  have  nobly 
responded  to  the  call  of  duty,  and  the  magnificent  building 
which  we  dedicate  will  perpetuate  the  record  of  their  fidelity. 

Fortunate  in  other  things,  you  are  peculiarly  fortunate  in 
the  day  chosen  for  these  ceremonies.  The  new  year  and  the 
new  century  turn  our  thoughts  to  the  future.  Mortal  eye  can- 
not penetrate  the  veil ;  but  hope  beats  high  and  faith  is  strong. 
We  stand  upon  the  vantage  ground  of  the  past. 

"  Life  greatens  in  these  later  years. 
The  century's  aloe  flowers  today." 

From  this  height  with  poetic  ken,  we  may  "  dip  into  the 
future  "  and  see  "  the  wonders  yet  to  be."  The  morning  light 
of  the  new  century  strikes  the  turret  of  the  temple  that  we 
dedicate.  We  crown  it  with  the  faith  that  the  unselfish  spirit 
which  gave  it  birth  is  prophetic  of  the  new  and  grander  day, 
when  right  shall  reign,  when  charity  shall  not  fail,  when  learn- 
ing shall  have  a  wider  field,  when  the  surplus  energy  and 
wealth  bestowed  by  science  shall  be  used  to  liberate  the  race, 
when  peace  shall  come  down  like  a  benediction  from  on  high, 
when  destructive  and  inglorious  strife  shall  end,  "  when  the 
war  drum  shall  beat  no  longer  and  the  battle  flag  shall  be 
furled." 


84  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

"When  man  to  man  united, 
And  many  wrong  things  righted. 
The  whole  world  shall  be  lighted, 
As  Eden  was  of  old." 

"  America  "  was  then  sung  by  the  chorus  and  audience, 
after  which  the  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  D.  B. 
Koenig. 

A  reception  at  the  Library  was  held  immediately  follow- 
ing the  dedicatory  program  and  another  in  the  evening. 
These  functions  were  largely  attended. 

THE  BRUMBACK   LIBRARY  DEDICATED  JANUARY    I,    I9OI 

An  appreciative  audience  of  grateful  people  filled  every  foot 
of  space  in  the  large  auditorium  of  the  First  M.  E.  Church, 
New  Year's  afternoon,  to  participate  in  the  exercises  con- 
nected with  the  dedication  of  the  Brumback  County  Library 
Building.  Long  before  two  o'clock,  the  time  announced  for 
the  exercises  to  commence,  standing-room  was  at  a  premium. 
As  we  looked  over  the  sea  of  faces  it  was  indeed  a  delight  to 
notice  not  only  the  splendid  representation  of  the  citizens  of 
Van  Wert,  but  also  among  the  throng  in  large  numbers  the 
citizens  of  the  various  townships  of  our  county,  for  the  library 
belongs  to  them  as  much  as  to  the  citizens  of  the  town.  It 
was  a  day  upon  which  the  boy  of  the  farm  and  the  boy  of  the 
city  alike  realized  their  fondest  hopes  of  having  equal  rights 
and  privileges  in  entering  the  portals  of  a  store-house  of 
knowledge  superior  in  every  way  to  what  the  most  ambitious 
had  ever  expected. 

All  the  time  the  Brumback  Library  was  in  course  of  con- 
struction the  interest  of  the  people  increased.  Today  the 
splendid  building  bequeathed  to  the  county  through  the  gen- 
erosity of  John  Sanford  Brumback  is  the  pride  of  all,  and  it 
is  no  wonder  that  strangers  from  other  states  in  the  throng 
Tuesday  afternoon  and  evening  wished  that  they  too  lived 
in  this  city  and  county  to  enjoy  in  the  fullest  measure  the  bene- 
fits to  be  derived  from  such  an  institution. 

The  splendid  musical  portion  of  the  program  was  under  the 
direction  of  W.  H.  Hiestand,  who  conducted  a  mixed  chorus 
accompanied  by  Moebus'  Orchestra.  Hiestand's  Band  played 
during  the  reception  in  the  library  in  the  evening.     Very 


THE  DEDICATION  85 

pleasing  features  of  the  afternoon  exercises  were  the  two  solos 
rendered  by  Mr.  Chas.  W.  Clark,  a  Van  Wert  boy,  who  has 
delighted  audiences  at  home  and  abroad.  He  is  always  wel- 
come, but  never  more  cordially  than  this  time,  when  he  volun- 
tarily came  home  to  help  our  people  sing  the  songs  of  joy  upon 
receiving  such  a  handsome  present  on  the  dawn  of  the  twen- 
tieth century. —  Van  Wert  Republican,  Jan.  3,  1901. 

LIBRARY     DEDICATED  —  RISES     IN     STATELY     MAGNIFICENCE    TO 

HONOR   HIM    WHO   GAVE  IT NEW   YEAR'^  DAY   WITNESSES 

MOST    IMPOSING    CEREMONIES,    WHEN    A    NEW    ERA    BEGAN 
IN  VAN  WERT  COUNTY's  EDUCATIONAL  HISTORY 

The  coming  of  the  twentieth  century  has  been  preceded  by 
many  prophecies  of  untold  development  and  of  great  achieve- 
ments, but  in  no  instance  has  any  small  city  seen  the  fulfillment 
of  these  prophecies  in  a  more  fitting  style  than  Van  Wert.  The 
dedication  of  the  Brumback  Library  upon  New  Year's  Day 
has  already  placed  Van  Wert  County  upon  the  pages  of  pro- 
gressive history  and  has  made  Van  Wert  a  city  of  which  the 
state  may  be  justly  proud. 

Seldom  in  the  history  of  Van  Wert  County  has  there  been  an 
event  which  has  attracted  such  a  multitude  of  people  together. 
The  church  was  crowded  to  its  utmost  capacity,  people  were 
packed  in  every  aisle,  while  many,  unable  to  get  inside,  were 
compelled  to  turn  away  at  the  doors.  The  occasion  was  one 
of  great  moment  to  the  people  of  Van  Wert  County,  and  recog- 
nizing the  importance  of  the  event  and  its  meaning  to  posterity 
they  flocked  to  the  exercises  with  a  hearty  appreciation  of  the 
great  spirit  of  the  donor  uppermost  in  their  minds. —  Van  Wert 
Times,  Jan.  4,  1901. 

Van  Wert  is  one  of  the  youngest  counties  in  Ohio  and  at  the 
same  time  one  of  the  most  progressive.  The  Van  Wert  library 
is  the  only  library  of  the  kind  in  the  state.  It  is  hoped  that 
wealthy  citizens  of  other  counties  will  follow  the  example  of 
the  late  J.  S.  Brumback  and  that  Ohio  may  soon  be  dotted 
with  county  libraries  similar  to  the  splendid  institution  dedi- 
cated today  at  Van  Wert. —  Toledo  Blade,  Jan.  i,  1901. 

State  Librarian,  C.  B.  Galbreath,  says  Ohio  is  behind  other 
states;  Van  Wert  County  ahead  of  other  counties.  The 
Columbus  Dispatch  reports  the  following  talk  with  the  State 


86  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Librarian :  "  I  expect  to  see  a  great  revival  of  interest  in  public 
library  matters  in  the  opening  years  of  the  new  century  in 
Ohio,"  said  State  Librarian  C.  B.  Galbreath,  yesterday,  while 
talking  about  the  magnificent  gift  of  J.  S.  Brumback  to  the 
county  of  Van  Wert  —  $50,000  for  a  public  library  —  which 
was  dedicated  on  New  Year's  day.  "  Ohio  is  far  behind  some 
other  states  in  the  matter  of  public  libraries.  In  Massachu- 
setts there  are  127  incorporated  municipalities  and  124  public 
libraries.  In  Ohio  we  have  about  900  incorporated  cities  and 
towns  and  only  60  public  libraries."  * 

In  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  on  January  i,  1901,  was  dedicated  one 
of  the  first  free  county  libraries  in  the  United  States.  Thou- 
sands of  libraries  have  been  presented  to  cities,  but  it  remained 
for  Mr.  J.  S.  Brumback,  of  Van  Wert,  forever  to  broaden  the 
outlook  and  set  a  new  standard  of  influence  for  every  library  in 
the  world. —  National  League  of  Improvement  Association. 

The  circulating  department  of  the  Brumback  Library  will 
be  open  to  the  public  next  Monday  (January  28),  when  books 
will  be  loaned  for  the  first  time.  During  the  past  week  many 
questions  have  been  asked  relative  to  the  mode  of  securing 
books,  etc.  The  board  is  having  a  booklet  of  rules  and  regu- 
lations printed,  which  can  be  secured  from  the  librarian. 
Every  person  of  the  age  of  nine  years  and  upward  residing  in 
Van  Wert  County  is  eligible  to  borrow  books  at  the  Brum- 
back Library,  on  signing  a  card  agreeing  to  observe  the  rules 
made  by  the  board.  There  will  be  no  charges  for  anything,  not 
even  cards.  Each  member  of  a  family  over  nine  years  of  age 
is  permitted  to  have  a  card,  but  no  family  may  have  more  than 
two  books  at  one  time.  Books  may  be  taken  home  for  a  period 
of  two  weeks  and  renewed  for  two  weeks  more  at  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time.  The  board  is  now  consummating  arrange- 
ments for  sub-stations  in  the  various  villages  and  trading  cen- 
ters of  the  county  and  announcements  of  the  places  where 
books  can  be  procured  will  be  made  soon. —  Van  Wert  Repub- 
lican, Jan.  24,  1901. 


*  Number  of  free  public  libraries  in  Ohio  in  1914  is  128. 


PART  II 

THE  WORK  OF  THE  BRUMBACK 
LIBRARY 


CHAPTER  VII 

VAN   WERT  COUNTY 

ONE  of  the  most  important  incidents  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary War  was  the  capture  of  Major  Andre  by 
Isaac  Van  Wart,  John  Paulding  and  David  Williams. 
These  three  farmer  boys,  at  a  time  when  money  was  very 
scarce,  spurned  an  offer,  by  the  captive,  of  10,000  guineas 
and  as  large  a  quantity  of  dry-goods,  as  they  might  wish, 
for  his  freedom.  Their  fidelity  was  later  recognized  and 
each  was  rewarded  by  Congress  with  a  farm,  a  life  pension 
of  $200  a  year  and  a  beautiful  silver  medal,  on  one  side 
of  which  was  the  word  "  Fidelity  "  and  on  the  other  the 
motto,  "  Amor  patriae  vincit."  A  modest  shaft  at  Tarry- 
town,  N.  Y.,  dated  September  23,  1780,  marks  the  memor- 
able spot  where  these  three  young  men  "  withstood  tempta- 
tion and  saved  the  state." 

Van  Wert  County  received  its  name  from  the  first  of 
these  three  great  Revolutionary  heroes  and  was  formed 
April  I,  1820,  out  of  lands  purchased  from  the  Indians  at 
the  treaty  of  Wapakoneta  in  181 8.  It  is  bounded  on  the 
north  by  Paulding  County,  on  the  east  by  Allen  and  Putnam 
counties,  on  the  south  by  Mercer  and  Auglaize  counties,  and 
on  the  west  by  Allen  County,  Indiana.  In  1830,  ten  years 
after  its  formation,  the  population  of  the  county,  according 
to  the  federal  census,  was  only  49.  So  the  organization  of 
the  county  was  delayed  until  1835.  By  1840  the  population 
had  increased  to  1,577.  Until  1890  the  increase  for  each 
decade  was  large,  but  from  1890  to  1910  while  the  popula- 
tion of  the  cities  and  towns   showed   a  small  gain  the 

89 


90  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

population  of  the  rural  districts  showed  a  loss.  The 
decrease  in  the  rural  districts  was  slight  between  1890  and 
1900,  with  the  result  that  the  county  as  a  whole  made  a  small 
gain  in  population  during  the  decade.  But  the  falling  off 
in  the  rural  population  was  so  pronounced  between  1900  and 
19 10  that  it  overcame  an  increase  on  the  part  of  the  cities 
and  towns  and  showed  a  loss  for  the  whole  county  of  1,275. 
The  population  of  the  county  for  each  decade  from  1850  to 
i9iois  as  follows:  1850,  4,793;  i860,  10,283;  1870,  15,823; 
1880,  23,028;  1890,  29,671;  1900,  30,394;  1910,  29,119. 
The  large  increase  in  our  national  urban  population  coinci- 
dent with  the  small  increase  in  our  national  rural  population 
and  the  actual  decrease  in  our  rural  population  in  many 
counties  and  several  states  is  a  problem  worthy  of  the  most 
careful  consideration.  The  decrease  in  the  rural  population 
of  Van  Wert  County  during  the  past  two  decades  is  the 
result  of  three  major  causes: 

(i)  The  virtual  completion  of  the  work  that  had  to  do 
with  the  removal  of  the  forests  and  the  draining  of  the 
swamps ; 

(2)  The  invention  of  numerous  agricultural  tools  and 
implements  of  a  labor-saving  character ;  and  — 

(3)  The  increase  in  the  size  of  the  farms. 

It  is  desirable  that  there  be  at  all  times  enough  people  in 
the  county  to  establish  a  correct  equilibrium  between  rural 
and  urban  population,  and  the  nation  has  that  today.  There 
will  not  be  a  greater  increase  of  the  rural  population  as 
compared  with  the  urban  pvopulation  until  intensive  farming 
becomes  more  common.  And  intensive  farming  will  not 
become  more  common  until  circumstances  make  it  necessary 
as  circumstances  have  made  it  necessary,  in  Europe.  And 
even  when  that  time  comes  a  drift  from  the  urban  centers 
to  the  rural  districts  will  not  be  needed,  considering  rural 
America  as  a  whole,  but  simply  a  reduced  migration  from 
the  country  to  the  cities. 


VAN  WERT  COUNTY  91 

Van  Wert  County  pioneers  found  three  great  obstacles 
to  progress  on  their  arrival  in  the  new  country  of  north- 
western Ohio,  viz.,  dense  forests,  extensive  swamps  and 
many  dangerous  wild  animals.  To  overcome  these  was 
no  small  undertaking.  But  the  early  settlers  did  this  and 
they  are  the  ancestors  of  a  large  part  of  the  present 
population. 

Who  were  these  early  settlers?  They  were  chiefly 
English,  German  and  Welsh.  It  is  unnecessary  to  argue 
the  fact  that  no  communities  anywhere  can  excel  those 
having  a  population  descended  mainly  from  English, 
German  and  Welsh  stock.  And  given  such  forefathers 
disciplined  by  the  task  of  having  cleared  forests,  drained 
swamps  and  battled  with  the  wild,  the  descendants  will  be 
of  a  high  type.  The  county  has  scattering  representatives 
of  a  number  of  other  nationalities,  and  there  are  possibly 
400  negroes,  most  of  whom  are  farmers. 

Van  Wert  County  has  an  area  of  a  little  over  405  square 
miles  or  259,479  acres  and  is  divided  into  twelve  townships, 
viz.,  Tully,  Union,  Hoaglin,  Jackson,  Harrison,  Pleasant, 
Ridge,  Washington,  Willshire,  Liberty,  York  and  Jennings. 
In  Harrison  Township  the  Germans  predominate,  in  York 
the  Welsh,  and  most  of  the  negroes  are  found  in  Willshire 
Township  and  Van  Wert  City.  The  east  half  of  Washing- 
ton Township  also  contains  a  great  many  Germans,  nearly 
all  of  whom  are  Catholics;  the  rest  of  the  Germans  of  the 
county  are,  for  the  most  part,  Protestants. 

The  cities  and  villages  of  the  county  are  as  follows: 
Van  Wert,  the  county-seat,  7,157;  Delphos,  5,038  (in  Van 
Wert  County  2,482  and  in  Allen  County  2,556)  ;  Ohio  City, 
860;  Convoy,  741 ;  Willshire,  653;  Middlepoint,  607;  Scott, 
472  (in  Van  Wert  County  279  and  in  Paulding  County 
193);  Wren,  277;  Venedocia,  247;  and  Elgin,  129.  This 
makes  the  population  of  one  city  and  the  incorporated  towns 
12,825.    The  population  of  the  rest  of  the  county  is  16,294. 


92  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

The  newspapers  of  the  county  number  ten.  Of  these 
Van  Wert  has  two  daiHes  and  one  weekly;  Delphos  one 
daily  and  one  weekly ;  Convoy  two  weeklies ;  and  Willshire, 
Ohio  City  and  Middlepoint  each  a  weekly. 

For  a  number  of  years  the  political  parties  of  the  county 
have  been  evenly  matched.  In  county,  township,  city  and 
town  elections  politics  are  almost  discarded  and  the  candi- 
dates are  voted  for  on  their  merits.  It  often  happens  that 
at  the  same  election  both  Democrats  and  Republicans  are 
elected  by  large  majorities.  In  state  and  national  politics 
the  party  lines  are  more  sharply  drawn,  but  not  so  much 
so  now  as  in  the  past. 

There  are  94.26  miles  of  railroad  in  the  county:  the 
Pennsylvania  (double  track),  25.68;  Toledo,  St.  Louis  and 
Western,  24.80;  Chicago  and  Erie  (double  track),  21.97; 
Cincinnati  Northern,  18.56;  and  Cincinnati,  Hamilton  and 
Dayton,  3.25.  There  is  one  traction  line,  viz.,  The  Ohio 
Electric,  26.34  miles.  The  miles  of  wagon  roads  amount 
to  1013,  of  which  about  800  have  been  macadamized.  For- 
tunately, limestone  rock  lies  quite  close  to  the  surface  in 
many  parts  of  the  county  with  the  result  that  there  are  a 
number  of  good  quarries.  The  present  tendency  is  increased 
attention  to  maintenance,  which  makes  for  excellence.  The 
cost  of  piking  the  county,  which  is  not  entirely  finished, 
was  approximately  $2,000,000,  about  $800,000  of  which 
still  represents  outstanding  bonds.  It  is  worthy  of  note 
that  the  proposed  Lincoln  Highway  from  New  York  to 
San  Francisco  passes  through  Van  Wert  County,  making 
use  of  its  main  road,  the  Ridge  road,  which  geologists  say 
was  at  one  time  the  southern  shore  of  Lake  Erie. 

For  telephone  service  the  county  has  been  divided  into 
zones,  so  that  any  resident  of  the  county  having  a  telephone 
can,  at  any  time,  converse  with  any  other  resident  of  the 
county  having  a  telephone.  Rural  Free  Delivery  routes 
extend  all  over  the  county.    Of  course  each  post-office  in 


FAN  WERT  COUNTY  93 

the  county  has  the  parcel  post  privileges  and  postal  savings 
banks  have  been  established  in  all  the  county  post-offices 
except  three.  There  is  not  a  resident  of  the  whole  county 
that  is  farther  than  a  very  few  miles  from  a  postal  savings 
office.  All  the  important  communities  of  the  county  have 
electric  lights,  furnished  by  two  large  central  plants,  and 
farmers  living  along  the  main  roads  connecting  the  towns 
lighted  by  electricity  can  have  electric  lights  placed  in  their 
homes.  Moreover,  owing  to  the  fact  that  Van  Wert  County 
was  once  and  is  still  a  fairly  good  oil  territory,  some  of  the 
farmers  enjoy  the  luxury  of  natural  gas. 

It  would  be  very  difficult  to  give  an  accurate  statement  of 
the  wealth  of  the  people  of  the  county,  but  in  the  thirteen 
banking  and  four  building  and  loan  institutions  of  the 
county  (counting  half  the  deposits  of  the  three  Delphos 
banks  and  two  building  and  loan  associations  and  half  the 
deposits  of  the  Scott  bank)  the  total  deposits  amount  to 
$3,500,000,  which  represent  $120  in  financial  institutions 
for  every  person  in  the  county.  The  county  tax  duplicate 
is  in  round  numbers  fifty  millions.  This  makes  the  average 
to  each  inhabitant  about  $1,725. 

Van  Wert  County's  location  is  unique  in  this  respect  that 
there  is  no  large  city  near  it.  Hence  the  people  are  largely 
dependent  up>on  themselves  for  their  instruction  and  enter- 
tainment. This  fact  explains  the  popularity  of  lodges  and 
clubs,  of  which  there  are  a  great  many,  and  the  tendency 
of  its  people  to  travel.  The  people  find  recreation  in  auto- 
mobiling  (there  are  600  machines  in  the  county  or  one  to 
every  forty-nine  people),  attending  picture  shows,  going  to 
the  one  first-class  theatre  in  the  county  a  few  times  each 
season  to  witness  good  theatrical  productions,  and  other 
kinds  of  legitimate  entertainments,  of  which  there  are  many 
in  all  parts  of  the  county  during  the  year.  Athletic  sports 
and  indoor  games  are  indulged  in  about  as  much  as  they 
are  in  the  average  rural  county. 


94  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

The  schools  of  the  county  number  ii6  of  which  fifteen 
are  in  the  two  cities  and  the  several  towns  and  loi  in  the 
country.  In  this  number  are  included  all  the  schools  of 
Delphos  and  the  one  school  of  Scott.  There  are  no  township 
schools.  All  but  a  very  few  of  the  district  schoolhouses, 
including  the  four  i>arochial  schoolhouses,  are  built  of  brick, 
and  all  are  in  reasonably  good  condition  with  respect  to 
grounds  and  buildings.  The  buildings  in  the  cities  and 
towns  are  excellent,  and  hundreds  of  country  pupils  yearly 
attend  the  town  and  city  schools.  This  retards  the  growth 
of  the  township  school  sentiment.  The  salaries  of  the 
teachers  are  above  the  average  of  salaries  paid  in  rural 
counties,  the  requirements  for  certificates  being  reasonably 
rig^d.  Most  of  the  schools  have  collections  from  the  county 
library  in  the  schools  and  the  teachers  come  into  frequent 
touch  with  the  well-trained  county  librarian.  The  trend 
in  all  of  the  county  school  work  is  toward  more  agricultural 
instruction  for  the  boys  and  more  domestic  science  courses 
for  the  girls. 

The  county  has  lOO  churches  if  all  the  churches 
of  Delphos  and  Scott  are  counted.  These  are,  without 
making  any  effort  to  give  them  in  the  order  of  their 
numerical  strength,  the  Methodist,  the  Presbyterian,  the 
Lutheran,  the  United  Brethren,  the  Baptist,  the  Catholic, 
the  Friends,  the  Christian,  the  Evangelical,  the  German 
Reform,  the  Seven  Day  Adventist  and  the  Christian  Science, 
and  there  is  one  Salvation  Army.  Almost  all  of  the  churches 
of  the  county  are  in  a  flourishing  condition  and  the  religious 
life  of  the  county  is  on  a  high  plane.  This  is  evidenced 
by  the  aggressive  spirit  of  the  churches,  by  the  attendance 
at  services,  by  the  liberal  support  given  all  religious  move- 
ments and  by  the  fact  that  the  county  is  pronouncedly  dry. 
Five  years  ago  on  the  passage  in  Ohio  of  the  county  local 
option  law,  making  the  county  the  unit  in  temperance 
matters.  Van  Wert  County  voted  dry  and  the  "  wets  "  were 


FAN  IVERT  COUNTY  95 

unable  at  the  expiration  of  the  first  three-year  period,  and 
have  been  unable  at  any  time  since  then,  to  secure  enough 
signers  to  bring  again  the  question  to  a  vote.  Under  the  dry 
regime,  dry  sentiment  has  been  steadily  growing,  and  the 
likelihood  is  that  the  county  will  never  again  become  wet, 
even  though  it  is  bounded  on  three  sides  by  wet  territory, 
readily  accessible  by  rail.  Never  before  has  the  county  been 
so  prosperous  and  so  safe.  The  editor  of  the  American 
Issue,  the  Anti-Saloon  League  organ  of  the  state,  says 
Van  Wert  County  has  one  of  the  best  organized  anti-saloon 
leagues  in  Ohio. 

About  16,294  persons  out  of  the  population  of  29,1 19  live 
on  farms  and  make  general  farming  or  some  special  phase 
of  farming  their  life  work.  Of  the  259,497  acres  in  the 
county,  3,902  represent  the  territory  of  the  cities  and  towns, 
about  10  per  cent  or  25,940  acres  are  in  woodlands  and  not 
over  fifty  acres  are  waste  land,  which  leaves  229,580  acres 
that  are  under  cultivation.  A  conservative  estimate  of  the 
value  of  all  the  land  of  the  county  exclusive  of  that  included 
in  city  and  town  corporations  is  $125  per  acre.  Some  land 
runs  up  to  $200  an  acre  and  a  limited  number  of  acres  are 
worth,  because  of  location,  excellence  of  improvements  or 
for  some  other  reason,  over  $200  an  acre.  There  is  very 
little  land  anywhere  in  the  county  that  can  be  bought  under 
$100  an  acre.  So  that  $125  an  acre  as  an  average  would  be 
considered  low  enough.  The  entire  county  farmland  at 
$125  an  acre  would  therefore  be  worth  $32,000,000. 

Van  Wert  County  has  only  one  river,  the  St.  Mary's, 
which  passes  through  the  southwest  comer  of  the  county. 

The  chief  crop  of  the  county  is  corn  and  the  average 
yield  for  the  whole  county  during  the  past  ten  years  is 
about  fifty  bushels  per  acre.  Oats  are  the  chief  small  grain. 
They  are  not  considered  a  paying  crop  on  such  valuable 
land,  but  ordinarily  the  most  certain  crop  in  getting  a 
stand  of  clover,  which  is  essential  to  the  maintenance  of 


96  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

fertility.  Wheat,  rye  and  barley  are  raised  only  on  a  small 
scale.  Next  to  corn  and  oats  comes  hay,  which  is  a  very 
important  crop  in  the  county.  In  recent  years  much  atten- 
tion has  been  given  to  the  raising  of  sugar  beets,  and  the 
likelihood  is  that  alfalfa  will  greatly  gain  in  favor  owing 
to  a  recent  alfalfa  campaign.  Hogs  and  horses  are  the 
chief  live  stock  raised  for  shipment.  Possibly  a  third  of 
the  large  annual  com  crop  of  the  county  is  used  to  fatten 
hogs  for  shipment  to  the  eastern  markets  and  hundreds  of 
fine  draft  horses  raised  in  Van  Wert  County  are  sold  each 
year  in  the  great  horse  markets  of  the  country,  and  many 
of  them  bring  fancy  prices.  Some  cattle  are  raised,  some 
are  shipped  in  and  fattened  and  thousands  of  pounds  of 
butter- fat  are  gathered  daily  by  the  creamery  wagons  that 
go  all  over  the  county,  and  there  is  scarcely  a  farmer  in  the 
county  that  does  not  raise  at  least  one  or  more  hundred 
chickens  annually  to  sell  and  for  tgg  production. 

While  the  16,294  country  people  are  engaged  in  the 
activities  of  farm  life,  most  of  the  12,825  residents  of  the 
cities  and  towns  are  engaged  in  lines  of  business  that  get 
their  chief  support  from  the  people  living  in  the  county. 
Aside  from  the  railroad  employees  (about  1,000  in  number) 
who  make  Van  Wert  County  their  home,  there  are  not  more 
than  500  persons  among  the  12,825  inhabitants  of  the  cities 
and  towns  whose  business  or  profession  is  not  almost  solely 
dependent  on  the  local  population. 

The  county  spirit  is  very  strong,  which  is  evidenced  by 
the  popularity  of  the  several  county  institutions  and  the 
many  county  activities  of  a  varied  character.  The  county 
institutions  of  first  importance  are  the  county  library  and 
the  county  fair.  The  County  Fair  Board  has,  within  a 
mile  of  Van  Wert  City,  fair  grounds  containing  fifty-four 
acres,  on  which  are  located  excellent  buildings  for  county 
fair  purposes,  valued  at  $55,000.  The  fame  of  the  Van 
Wert  County  Fair  has  gone  abroad.    The  attendance  during 


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VAN  WERT  COUNTY  97 

the  past  four  or  five  years  has  been  for  the  five  days  during 
which  the  fair  is  held  50,000  to  75,000. 

That,  locally,  the  value  of  the  county  unit  is  coming  to 
be  more  and  more  appreciated  in  all  efforts  along  the  lines 
of  progress  is  plain  to  be  seen  in  the  following  instances. 

When  a  few  years  ago  a  Chautauqua  association  was 
organized,  it  was  made  a  county  institution.  The  County 
Chautauqua  has  enabled  Van  Wert  County  to  enjoy  for  a 
number  of  seasons  a  Chautauqua  program  that  has  been 
pre-eminently  successful  both  artistically  and  financially. 

A  hospital  has  for  several  years  been  located  at  the 
county-seat.  Incorporated  as  The  Van  Wert  County 
Hospital,  it  is  proving  a  success,  which  entitles  it  to  a 
permanent  place  among  the  established  county  institutions. 
During  the  past  few  months  the  hospital  trustees  have 
received  from  the  estates  of  two  Van  Wert  citizens,  Marvin 
Woodruff  and  John  Strandler,  bequests  sufficiently  large  to 
provide  for  a  good  building  and  an  adequate  endowment. 

By  the  time  this  book  comes  from  the  press,  arrangements 
will  have  been  consummated  whereby  Van  Wert  County 
will  have  at  its  county-seat  one  of  the  finest  and  most  heavily 
endowed  Y.  M.  C.  A.  buildings  in  any  city  of  corresponding 
size  in  the  United  States.  The  will  of  John  Strandler 
provides  for  this  in  full  with  a  stipulation  that  the  Y.  M. 
C.  A.  must  be  incorix)rated  under  the  laws  of  Ohio  and  be 
a  county  organization. 

County  parks,  a  county  fair,  ai  county  library,  a  county 
hospital,  a  county  Chautauqua,  a  county  Y.  M.  C.  A. —  all 
the  result  of  the  county's  own  public-spirited  citizens,  who 
made  these  institutions  possible  not  only  by  generous  dona- 
tions of  money  but  also  by  unselfish  donations  of  time  and 
effort!  All  are  indicative  of  a  high  type  of  county 
patriotism. 

In  addition  to  the  preceding  philanthropies,  several  others 
might  be  mentioned.     George  Marsh,  Sr.,  deeded  to  Van 


98  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Wert  County  the  ground  which  now  constitutes  the  several 
parks  in  the  city  of  Van  Wert.  Ferine  De  Puy  left  a  large 
sum  to. the  public  schools  of  Van  Wert,  stipulating  that  the 
income  be  used  in  buying  books  and  clothing  for  poor 
children,  Mrs.  Rachael  Krout  bequeathed  to  the  First 
Methodist  Church  a  large  part  of  her  estate,  which  was 
used  to  erect  commodious  Sunday-school  rooms.  Mrs. 
Friscilla  Buckingham  left  a  bequest  to  be  used  as  the  best 
interests  of  the  city  dictated.  Marvin  Woodruff  gave  a 
large  sum  to  the  Lutheran  Church  of  Van  Wert,  thereby 
making  possible  the  present  fine  stone  structure.  John 
Strandler  provided  in  his  will  for  the  endowment  of  an 
instructorship  in  mathematics  for  tlie  grades  of  the  public 
schools. 

Other  donations  of  smaller  amounts  have  been  made  for 
various  purposes,  but  these  represent  the  chief  philan- 
thropies of  the  county. 

County  institutions  of  a  business  character  are  the  Van 
Wert  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Company,  most  of 
whose  business  is  in  Van  Wert  County,  and  the  Van  Wert 
County  Mutual  Live  Stock  Insurance  Company,  all  of 
whose  business  is  confined  to  the  county,  both  of  which 
institutions  are  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Besides  these  county  institutions  there  are  many  county 
activities  along  a  number  of  lines;  e.  g.,  there  are  com 
contests,  other  crop  growing  contests,  poultry  shows,  essay 
contests,  singing  contests  (thanks  to  the  Welsh  element  in 
our  population)  and  numerous  county  gatherings  such  as 
Farmers'  and  Teachers'  Institutes  and  conventions  for 
various  purposes,  all  of  which  bind  the  people  of  the  county 
together  and  stimulate  cooperation  and  patriotism. 

After  this  general  survey  of  Van  Wert  County  the  reader 
will  be  able  to  study  more  intelligently  the  statistical  state- 
ment of  the  work  of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert 
County  since  it  opened  its  doors  to  the  public  Jan.  i,  1901. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE   LIBRARY   TRUSTEES 

IT  HAS  been  shown  how  a  Hbrary  for  Van  Wert  County, 
planned  by  J.  S.  Brumback,  made  possible  through  his 
generosity,  its  future  secured  as  a  result  of  his  foresight  in 
providing  for  its  maintenance,  was  made  a  reality  by  the 
action  of  the  County  Commissioners,  H.  H.  Ludwig,  Peter 
Knittle  and  H.  G.  Schumm.  These  men  were  sufficiently 
broad-minded  and  far-seeing  to  realize  how  much  such  an 
institution  might  mean  to  the  entire  county.  When  they 
officially  approved  the  contract  binding  the  county  to  main- 
tain the  library  through  all  the  future,  their  act  was 
applauded  by  a  public-spirited  i>eople.  Here  it  is  worthy 
of  remark  that  the  succeeding  County  Commissioners  have 
been  in  sympathy  with  the  work  of  the  library  and  have 
cordially  cooperated  with  its  trustees.  Some  of  them  are 
especially  to  be  commended  for  their  zeal  in  promoting  the 
moral  and  intellectual  as  well  as  the  material  interests  of 
the  county.  The  present  Commissioners  elected  in  the  fall 
of  19 1 3  are  P.  M.  Weisman,  George  Fissel  and  H.  G. 
Schumm.  Mr.  Schumm  was  one  of  the  three  Commissioners 
who  signed  the  library  contract  in  1898. 

After  the  way  had  been  thus  carefully  prepared,  it 
remained  for  the  Library  Trustees  to  do  their  part,  namely, 
to  make  the  county  library  a  practical  success.  That  they 
fully  appreciated  the  responsibility  resting  upon  them  and 
assumed  it  successfully,  may  clearly  be  seen  in  the  results 
of  fifteen  years  of  conscientious  effort.  No  board  ever 
entered  upon  its  duties  with  more  zeal  and  enthusiasm 
than  did  the  one  which  met  for  the  first  time  June  2,  1899, 

99 


100  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

in  the  reading-room  of  the  Ladies'  Library  Association, 
and  organized  by  electing  J.  P.  Reed  president,  Thomas  M. 
Thorpe  vice-president,  and  Saida  M.  Brumback  (Mrs.  E.  L 
Antrim)  secretary.  The  other  members  were  Mrs.  R.  J. 
Cavette,  Mrs.  W.  H.  Hiestand,  Joseph  L.  Tossey  and  J.  M. 
Laudick.  This  same  spirit  of  enthusiasm  has  characterized 
the  work  of  the  succeeding  members  of  the  board. 

Fifteen  years  ago,  hbrary  work  was  not  so  fully 
organized  as  today,  library  schools  were  not  so  generally 
attended,  library  architecture  had  been  given  but  little 
special  thought,  library  helps  were  less  numerous  and  library 
cooperation  was  less  common.  On  this  point  Mr.  C.  B. 
Galbreath,  formerly  Ohio  State  Librarian,  in  a  book  *  com- 
piled by  him  says :  "  By  reference  to  the  following  pages 
it  will  be  found  that  the  free  library  movement  in  Ohio  is 
still  in  its  infancy.  Only  sixty-seven  free  circulating 
reference  libraries  are  reported  in  this  state.  Ohio  suffers 
by  comparison  with  many  other  states.  There  was  a  time 
when  she  held  high  rank  in  this  important  field.  Recent 
years  have  witnessed  a  revival  of  interest  which  the  friends 
of  the  library  movement  believe  to  be  prophetic  of  better 
things  to  follow.  This  has  been  accentuated  and  accelerated 
by  the  intelligent  philanthropy  of  Andrew  Carnegie.  Many 
of  his  gifts  have  been  made  since  the  following  sketches 
went  to  press." 

It  is  a  matter  of  congratulation,  therefore,  that  this  first 
Board  had  the  wisdom  to  employ  a  trained  library 
organizer  to  introduce  approved  technical  methods  in  the 
routine  work  of  the  library.  But  when  they  turned  their 
attention  to  the  matter  of  making  the  library  available  to 
the  remote  rural  districts  of  the  county  they  could  get  no 
assistance  along  this  line,  they  found  no  established  prece- 
dent to  follow,  no  county  library  to  serve  as  a  model.    The 

♦ "  Sketches  of  Ohio  Libraries,"  published  in  1902  and  being  the 
first  attempt  to  give  a  detailed  account  of  the  condition  and  work  of 
the  public  libraries  of  Ohio. 


THE  LIBRARY  TRUSTEE^  :'  * ,'  i  ^ !'    tOl" 

great  awakening  to  rural  problems  had  not  yet  taken  place. 
As  a  library  owned  and  maintained  by  the  people  of  the 
county,  to  all  of  whom  library  service  was  due,  it  entered 
upon  a  new  field  of  library  work,  with  conditions  in  the 
county,  as  shall  be  seen,  less  favorable  for  carrying  on  rural 
extension  work  than  they  are  today. 

Fourteen  years  ago  Van  Wert  County  had  the  same 
institutions  which  all  counties  have  in  connection  with  their 
political  and  economic  life.  There  had  been  considerable 
demand  for  better  roads  and  for  such  other  improvements 
as  were  necessary  for  the  material  welfare  of  the  people  of 
the  county.  The  county  fair  was  the  one  county  activity 
which  tended  to  unify  all  the  people  of  the  county,  rural 
and  urban,  in  a  social  way.  There  were  individual  organiza- 
tions in  the  county  of  various  kinds  for  the  benefit  of  local 
communities,  which  acting  separately  sometimes  operated 
against  rather  than  for  one  another.  The  real  county  spirit 
of  cooperation  and  patriotism  which  today  brings  the  people 
of  the  county  into  closer  relationship  had  not  yet  developed. 
When,  then,  the  idea  of  making  the  county  a  unit  in  library 
maintenance  and  service  was  advanced,  it  was  regarded  as 
an  innovation,  both  at  home  and  abroad.  Under  these 
conditions  and  with  many  problems  i)eculiar  to  the  situation 
confronting  them,  the  Board  of  Trustees  was  dominated 
by  the  idea  of  making  the  library  available  and  of  real  benefit 
;o  all  the  residents  of  the  county  and  to  this  end  devised 
plans  for  the  operation  of  a  county  library  and  gradually 
worked  out  their  own  county  library  system. 

It  has  been  the  pmrpose  of  the  trustees  at  all  times  to 
hold  the  administration  of  the  library  in  their  own  hands 
and  to  maintain  a  close  supervision  of  its  work.  This  has 
enabled  them  to  shape  a  library  policy  that  has  been  con- 
sistent through  the  years.  But  while  the  Board  controls 
the  administration  of  the  library,  it  considers  the  librarian 
its  executive  and  stands  ready  to  encourage  and  support 


ib^     "■'  ^  ^  ,^  ' ;  xhi  CO  unty  library 

her  efforts.  By  the  careful  thought,  conscientious  effort 
and  business  methods  of  the  Board,  supplemented  by  the 
efficient  work  of  capable  librarians,  it  has  been  possible  to 
put  into  successful  operation  a  county  library. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  trustees  who  have 
cheerfully  given  of  their  time,  without  compensation,  to  the 
management  of  the  library. 

APPOINTED  BY  THE  BRUMBACK  HEIRS 

Mrs.  E.  I.  Antrim,  Secretary,  Van  Wert,  1899  to  date. 
John  P.  Reed,  President,  Van  Wert,  1899  to  date. 

APPOINTED    BY    THE    COUNTY    COMMISSIONERS 

♦J.  L.  Tossey,  Hoaglin  Township,  1899  to  Nov.  13,  1901. 
f  G.  B.  Hale,  Union  Township,  1901-1906. 

Mrs.  R.  J.  Cavette,  Van  Wert,  1906  to  date. 
f  J.  M.  Laudick,  Delphos,  Washington  Township,  1899-1907. 

J.  W.  Nicodemus,  Ridge  Township,  1907  to  date. 

*  T.  M.  Thorpe,  Willshire,  1899-1910. 

•)•  Rev.  J.  A.  Gordon,  D.  D.,  Van  Wert,  1910-1912. 
C.  B.  Pollock,  Vice-president,  Van  Wert,  1912  to  date. 

APPOINTED  BY  THE  LADIES'  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION 

Mrs.  R.  J.  Cavette,  Van  Wert,  1899- 1906. 
Mrs.  I.  H.  Malick,  Van  Wert,  1906  to  date. 
Mrs.  W.  H.  Hiestand,  Van  Wert,  1899-1900. 

*  Mrs.  J.  Strandler,  Van  Wert,  1900-1903. 
f  Mrs.  B.  F.  Troup,  Van  Wert,  1903-1912. 

f  Elmer  Scott,  Van  Wert,  1912  to  Oct.,  1913. 
Mrs.  J.  M.  Craig,  Van  Wert,  Jan.,  1913,  to  date. 

Three  of  this  number,  Mr.  John  P.  Reed,  Mrs.  E.  I. 
Antrim  and  Mrs.  R.  J.  Cavette,  have  been  on  the  Board 
since  its  organization  and  for  their  faithful  work  deserve 
a  special  word. 

Too  much  cannot  be  said  of  the  service  rendered  the 
library  by  John  P.  Reed,  who  has  served  as  president  of 
the  Board  from  the  beginning.    He  is  a  son-in-law  of  the 

*  Deceased. 

t  Changed  residence. 


THE  LIBRARY  TRUSTEES  103 

donor,  having  married  Miss  Estelle  Brumback  in  1886, 
and  has  ever  had  the  interests  of  the  Hbrary  close  at  heart. 
It  is  due,  in  large  measure,  to  him  that  the  building  was  so 
substantially  constructed,  as  he  personally  supervised  the 
work  and  insisted  upon  the  best  of  workmanship  and 
materials  in  the  fulfilling  of  all  contracts.  Furthermore, 
because  of  his  knowledge  of  conditions  in  the  county  and 
wide-spread  acquaintance  with  its  people,  with  whom  he  has 
had  business  dealings  extending  over  a  period  of  thirty-two 
years  in  connection  with  the  Oil  Well  Supply  Company  and 
as  cashier  of  the  Van  Wert  National  Bank,  he  has  been  an 
important  factor  in  the  success  of  the  library.  His  unselfish 
work,  his  business-like  methods  and  his  genial  disposition 
have  at  all  times  inspired  the  County  Commissioners  with 
confidence  in  the  aims  and  work  of  the  library,  and  have 
wrought  for  absolute  harmony  among  the  in-coming  and 
out-going  members  of  the  Board.  Mr.  Reed  was  born  at 
Sharon,  Pa.  In  early  life  he  became  associated  with  the 
Oil  Well  Supply  Company  and  served  them  in  a  responsible 
capacity  in  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  before  coming  to 
Van  Wert,  Ohio,  where  he  continued  with  the  company 
until  elected  in  1889  cashier  of  the  Van  Wert  National 
Bank. 

"  Mrs.  E.  I.  Antrim,  nee  Saida  Brumback,  youngest 
daughter  of  J.  S.  Brumback  and  joint  author  of  this  book, 
was  bom  in  the  city  of  Van  Wert.  She  graduated  from  the 
local  High  School,  attended  the  Mary  Institute  of  St.  Louis 
and  later  studied  in  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University.  In  1899 
she  was  married  to  Ernest  Irving  Antrim,  A.  B.,  De  Pauw 
University  and  Ph.  D.,  Gottingen  University,  Germany, 
since  which  time  his  interests  have  been  centered  in  Van 
Wert  County,  which,  in  191 2,  he  represented  in  the  Ohio 
Constitutional  Convention. 

"  Mrs.  Antrim  was  made  one  of  the  two  representatives 
of  the  Brumback  family  on  the  Library  Board  and  has,  out 


104  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

of  pure  love  for  the  work,  faithfully  performed  the  duties 
that  devolved  upon  the  secretary  from  the  first  meeting, 
June  2,  1899,  to  date.  Her  untiring  efforts  and  unlimited 
enthusiasm  have  been  a  source  of  inspiration  to  her  library 
co-workers.  Because  of  her  long  connection  with  the 
library  and  her  knowledge  of  the  work  in  all  its  details,  she 
has  been  able  to  offer  timely  and  valuable  suggestions  for 
the  consideration  of  the  Board.  Mrs.  Antrim  early  got  the 
vision  of  the  mission  of  a  county  library  and  this  has  been 
the  incentive  in  her  work  as  a  trustee."  * 

Another  who  has  been  identified  with  the  work  of  the 
library  from  its  beginning  and  had  an  important  part  in  all 
its  struggles  and  triumphs  is  Mrs.  R.  J.  Cavette,  nee  Clara 
Conover.  Always  ready  to  bear  her  share  of  the  burden  of 
the  work,  her  sound  judgment  and  painstaking  efforts  have 
at  all  times  rendered  her  services  most  valuable,  whether  as 
vice-president  or  as  a  member  of  the  several  committees. 
Born  in  the  city  of  Van  Wert  and  actively  interested  in  its 
welfare,  she  was  a  charter  member  of  the  Ladies'  Library 
Association  and  acted  as  one  of  its  representatives  on  the 
Brumback  Library  Board  from  1899  to  1906.  She  was  then 
appointed  by  the  County  Commissioners  and  has  served  as 
their  appointee  since  that  time. 

Mrs.  L  H.  Malick  has  been  connected  with  the  Brumback 
Library  as  trustee  for  eight  years.  She  is  one  of  the 
representatives  appointed  by  the  Ladies'  Library  Associa- 
tion, of  which  she  was  a  charter  member.  Her  personal 
and  loyal  interest  in  the  library  work  makes  her  a  useful 
member  and  her  willingness  to  do  her  part  is  shown  by  her 
faithful  attendance  at  Board  meetings.  Having  long  been 
a  resident  of  Van  Wert  County,  she  is  familiar  with  its 
activities  and  library  interests. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Nicodemus,  appointed  by  the  County  Commis- 
sioners, has  been  a  trustee  for  seven  years,  part  of  the  time 

♦Written  by  E.  I.  Antrim. 


LOCATION   OF   DASIE   BRA.XCH   LIBRARY,   INTERIOR 


LOCATION  OF  SCOTT  BRANCH  LIBRARY,  INTERIOR 


THE  LIBRARY  TRUSTEES  105 

acting  as  vice-president.  He  wields  a  strong  influence  in 
the  county  and  his  opinion  is  highly  respected  by  scores  of 
citizens  as  well  as  his  co-workers  on  the  Library  Board.  He 
is  a  recognized  progressive  farmer,  having  been  for  a 
number  of  years  one  of  the  lecturers  sent  out  by  the  state 
to  farmers'  institutes  and  is  at  the  present  time  president  of 
the  Van  Wert  County  Agricultural  Society.  He  is  a  splendid 
type  of  that  class  of  men  who  are  continually  working  for 
the  welfare  of  the  people. 

Mr.  C.  B.  Pollock,  vice-president,  appointed  by  the 
County  Commissioners,  is  a  young  man  of  high  ideals 
and  is  greatly  interested  in  all  worthy  county  activities.  He 
is  a  scientific  fanner,  having  had  a  course  in  agriculture  at 
the  Ohio  State  University.  He  and  his  father  have  one 
of  the  model  farms  of  Van  Wert  County,  noted  for  its 
handsome  buildings  surrounded  by  grounds  artistic  in  their 
landscape  effects.  In  the  two  years  he  has  served  as  library 
trustee,  he  has  proved  himself  a  very  useful  member. 

Mrs.  J.  M.  Craig  was  apfKDinted  January,  1914,  to  fill  the 
unexpired  term  of  Mr.  Elmer  E.  Scott,  who  recently  moved 
to  Bayne,  Washington.  The  Board  lost  a  valuable  member 
when  he  resigned.  The  fact  that  Mrs.  Craig  was  a  charter 
member  of  the  Ladies'  Library  Association  is  a  guarantee 
that  she  will  be  a  helpful  member  of  the  Brumback  Library 
Board. 

The  rules  adopted  by  the  trustees  for  their  government 
are  as  follows: 

I.  The  Brumback  Library  is  managed  and  controlled  by  a  non- 
partisan board  of  seven  trustees,  three  of  whom  are  appointed  by 
the  Commissioners  of  Van  Wert  County,  two  by  the  heirs  of  J.  S. 
Brumback  or  his  descendants,  and  two  by  the  Ladies'  Library 
Association,  in  accordance  with  the  contract  entered  into  by  and 
between  the  above  named  parties  July  30,  1898.  [The  method  of 
selecting  trustees  for  a  county  library  is  very  important.  While  it 
is  desirable  that  the  County  Commissioners  have  appointive  power, 
it  is  equally  desirable  to  have  some  members  appointed  otherwise, 
that  the  Board  may  be  free  from  political  entanglements.] 


106  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

2.  Regular  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  shall  be  held 
at  the  library  building  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  each  month  at 
7:30  P.  M. 

3.  The  president  or  any  two  members  shall  have  power  to  call 
a  special  meeting  of  the  Board,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
secretary  to  notify  each  member  of  any  special  meeting. 

4.  Four  members  of  the  Board  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for 
the  transaction  of  business. 

5.  The  order  of  business  at  regular  meetings  of  the  Board 
shall  be  as  follows: 

A.  Reading  of  the  minutes. 

B.  Reports  from  standing  committees. 

C.  Reports  from  special  committees. 

D.  Reports  from  officers  and  librarian. 

E.  Unfinished  business. 

F.  New  business. 

6.  The  officers  of  the  Board  shall  consist  of  a  president,  vice- 
president,  and  secretary,  each  of  whom  shall  be  elected  at  the 
regular  meeting  in  February  and  shall  serve  for  one  year,  or  until 
their  successors  are  elected.  They  shall  be  elected  by  ballot,  a 
majority  of  the  whole  Board  being  necessary  to  elect. 

7.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Board, 
appoint  the  standing  committees,  sign  all  orders  on  the  county 
treasurer,  prepare  for  the  consideration  of  the  Board  the  annual 
report  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  perform  such  other  duties  as 
usually  pertain  to  the  office. 

8.  The  vice-president,  in  the  absence  of  the  president,  shall 
preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Board,  and  in  case  of  the  death, 
removal  or  resignation  of  the  president  shall  perform  his  duties 
until  a  successor  is  elected  to  serve  for  the  unexpired  term. 

9.  The  secretary  shall  keep  accurate  minutes  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  together  with  accurate  accounts  of 
all  receipts  and  expenditures  for  and  in  behalf  of  the  library. 
He  shall  pay  over  to  the  treasurer  of  Van  Wert  County  each 
month,  for  the  credit  of  the  library  fund,  all  moneys  received  by 
the  library  and  shall  take  and  keep  on  file,  for  a  period  of  at  least 
six  years,  vouchers  for  all  moneys  expended.  He  shall  render  a 
complete  and  accurate  financial  statement  of  the  library  as  shown 
by  his  books,  to  the  County  Commissioners,  on  or  before  the  end 
of  the  fiscal  year,  to-wit,  the  first  day  of  February,  and  perform 
such  other  duties  as  usually  pertain  to  the  office. 

10.  All  orders  drawn  on  the  treasurer  of  Van  Wert  County 
for  the  payment  of  moneys  out  of  the  library  fund  shall  be  signed 


THE  LIBRARY  TRUSTEES  107 

by  the  president  and  secretary  and  issued  only  upon  an  aye  and 
nay  vote  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  entered  upon  the  minutes. 

11.  There  shall  be  five  standing  committees  of  the  Board,  con- 
sisting of  three  members  each,  as  follows : 

Committee  on  Books  and  Reading-Room,  Committee  on  Build- 
ings and  Grounds,  Committee  on  Finance,  Committee  on  Rules  and 
Regulations,  and  Committee  on  Circulation. 

The  president  shall  be  ex-officio  member  of  all  standing  com- 
mittees. 

12.  The  Committee  on  Books  and  Reading-Room  shall  have 
general  charge  of  all  matters  relating  to  the  selection,  purchase, 
exchange,  and  binding  of  books  and  periodicals ;  and  of  all  matters 
relating  to  stamps,  plates,  labels  and  printed  forms  in  use  in  the 
library. 

13.  The  Committee  on  Buildings  and  Grounds  shall  have  gen- 
eral charge  of  all  matters  relating  to  the  maintenance,  alteration, 
repair,  furnishing,  insurance,  heating  and  lighting  of  the  library 
building;  together  with  the  general  charge  of  the  library  grounds. 

14.  The  Committee  on  Finance  shall  have  general  charge  of 
all  matters  relating  to  accounts,  revenues  and  salaries,  and  shall 
see  that  the  proper  tax  levy  for  the  maintenance  of  the  library  is 
made  by  the  County  Commissioners  as  per  contract. 

15.  The  Committee  on  Rules  and  Regulations  shall  have  gen- 
eral charge  of  all  employees,  together  with  the  laws,  rules  and 
regulations  of  the  library  and  the  enforcement  thereof. 

16.  The  Committee  on  Circulation  shall  have  general  charge 
of  the  circulation  of  all  books  and  maintain  a  supervision  of  the 
branch  libraries  established  by  the  Board. 

17.  All  committees  shall,  at  the  regular  meeting  each  month, 
present  reports  showing  in  detail  their  transactions  for  the  pre- 
ceding month.  No  unusual  or  extraordinary  indebtedness  shall  be 
incurred  except  by  order  of  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

18.  When  required  by  the  Board  to  do  so,  the  librarian  shall 
invite  bids  for  furnishing  the  Board  with  such  supplies,  books, 
etc.,  concerning  which  there  can  be  competition  among  dealers. 
Purchases  shall  be  made  from  the  lowest  bidder,  considering 
quality,  etc.,  local  dealers  being  given  the  preference  where  prac- 
ticable. All  bills,  except  small  expenses,  which  are  to  be  paid  by 
the  librarian  as  hereinafter  mentioned,  shall  be  indorsed  by  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  under  whose  supervision  said  bills 
were  made.  When  a  bill  has  been  allowed  by  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, the  secretary  shall  draw  an  order  upon  the  county  treasurer. 


108  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

payable  to  the  order  of  the  person  in  whose  favor  said  bill  is 
allowed. 

19.  A  sum  not  exceeding  twenty-five  dollars  may  be  left  with 
the  librarian  to  pay  incidental  expenses,  such  as  postage,  express 
charges,  freight,  etc.  True  statements  of  such  payments  shall  be 
made  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

20.  In  meetings  of  the  Board,  all  motions  and  resolutions 
offered  shall  be  laid  over  to  the  next  ensuing  meeting,  on  any 
member  of  the  Board  giving  notice  to  discuss.  Upon  demand  of 
any  member,  an  aye  and  nay  vote  of  the  Board  shall  be  taken  and 
recorded  upon  any  motion  or  resolution. 


CHAPTER  IX 

THE   LIBRARY   STAFF 

THE  work  of  the  library  having  been  properly  organized 
according  to  approved  methods,  it  has  been  the  policy 
of  the  trustees,  at  all  times,  to  have  trained  and  educated 
librarians  at  its  head.  The  position  of  county  librarian 
offers  opportunities  to  an  ambitious  person  for  development 
in  many  directions.  In  connection  with  the  duties,  unusual 
in  their  character,  the  librarian  has  the  benefit  of  a  thor- 
oughly systematized  county  work,  the  result  of  many  years 
of  experience  in  county  extension  activities.  After  becom- 
ing sufficiently  familiar  with  the  county  system  the  librarian 
is  given  ample  opportunity  to  exercise  originality  in  further 
development  of  the  work,  and  frequently  has  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  the  results  of  his  efforts  brought  to  a  successful 
fruition.  While  perfection  is  not  to  be  expected  in  any 
person,  the  model  county  librarian  must  have  the  following 
qualifications :  liberal  education,  library  training  or  its  equiv- 
alent in  library  experience,  high  library  ideals,  executive 
ability,  tact  and  originality. 

During  the  fourteen  years  of  the  library's  history,  four 
librarians  have  been  connected  with  it,  all  of  whom  have 
been  young  women  of  ability  and  education  and  their  work 
has  been  of  high  character.  The  nature  of  the  achievements 
of  each  librarian  has  necessarily  differed  according  to  the 
standards  of  the  profession  at  large  and  the  needs  of  the 
library  at  the  particular  time  of  her  incumbency,  just  as  the 
nature  of  the  work  of  future  librarians  will  differ  from  that 
of  today.  Each  has  promoted  the  welfare  of  the  library  in 
a  general  way  and,  at  the  same  time,  rendered  valuable 

109 


110  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

service  along  specific  lines.  The  Brumback  Library  has 
been  fortunate  in  its  librarians  and  much  credit  is  due  them 
for  the  excellent  results  achieved. 

Miss  Ella  L.  Smith,  the  first  librarian  of  the  Brumback 
Library,  was  born  at  St.  Louis,  but  has  spent  most  of  her 
life  in  Van  Wert,  Ohio,  where  she  graduated  from  the 
public  schools.  She  received  from  the  Ohio  Wesleyan 
University  the  degree  of  B.  A.  and  from  the  University  of 
Michigan  the  degree  of  M.  A.  Before  becoming  librarian 
of  the  Brumback  Library,  in  August,  1900,  she  had  had 
considerable  experience  as  a  teacher  in  high  school  work. 
She  remained  witli  the  library  until  July,  1905,  about  which 
time  she  accepted  a  position  in  the  Mercantile  Library  of 
San  Francisco,  remaining  there  until  the  earthquake  disor- 
ganized the  city.  She  later  became  connected  with  the 
library  at  Marion,  Ohio.  At  present  she  is  state  library 
organizer  for  Ohio.  Associated  with  the  Brumback  Library 
during  its  first  five  years  she  materially  aided  in  its  pioneer 
work  in  the  county,  and  because  of  her  superior  education 
maintained  at  all  times  a  high  standard  of  literary  excellence. 

The  members  of  the  Board  were  pleased  to  employ  as 
librarian  another  resident  of  Van  Wert  County,  Miss  Jane 
W.  Brotherton,  of  Delphos,  who  was  entitled  to  the  position 
not  only  because  of  her  excellent  preparation  but  also 
because  of  her  acquaintance  with  Van  Wert  County  and  its 
library  history.  After  completing  her  college  course  at 
Denison  University,  Granville,  Ohio,  where  she  graduated 
in  1899  with  the  degree  of  B.  S.,  she  attended  the  library 
school  of  the  University  of  Illinois,  Urbana,  111.,  graduating 
in  1903  with  the  degree  B.  L.  S.  She  reorganized  the 
public  library  of  Franklin,  Ohio,  September-December,  1903. 
Later  she  was  engaged  as  cataloguer  in  the  Congressional 
Library,  Washington,  D.  C,  1904- 1905,  which  position  she 
resigned  to  become  librarian  of  the  Brumback  Library  of 
Van  Wert  County,  Ohio.    Owing  to  the  death  of  her  mother 


THE  LIBRARY  STAFF  111 

in  1 909,  Miss  Brotherton  tendered  her  resignation,  which 
was  accepted  with  regret.  She  has  not  since  taken  a  Hbrary 
position,  Dut  her  influence  remains  at  work  not  only  in  the 
newly  organized  public  library  of  her  home  town  but  in  the 
results  accomplished  during  her  librarianship  of  the  Brum- 
back  Library. 

The  Board  was  fortunate  in  its  choice  of  Miss  Corinne 

A.  Metz  as  successor  to  Miss  Brotherton.  Miss  Metz  was 
born  in  Newark,  Ohio,  and  received  her  early  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  that  city.  After  one  year  at  the  West- 
ern College  for  Women  at  Oxford,  Ohio,  she  completed 
her  college  course  at  Denison  University,  Granville,  Ohio, 
where  she  graduated  with  the  degree  of  B.  L.  From  1905 
to  1907  she  attended  the  New  York  State  Library  School, 
at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  receiving  from  that  institution  the  degree 

B.  L.  S.  Her  first  library  experience  was  obtained  at  Wash- 
ington Court  House,  Ohio,  where  she  was  librarian  of  the 
public  library  from  September  1907  to  March  1909.  From 
March  to  September,  1909,  she  organized  the  Township 
Library  at  Conneaut,  Ohio.  Her  services  with  the  Brum- 
back  Library  were  most  successful  as  indicated  by  the  fruit- 
ful years  of  her  incumbency,  from  December  1909  to 
March  1913.  She  resigned  to  become  librarian  of  the 
Wasco  County  Library  of  The  Dalles,  Oregon.  To  this  new 
field  of  labor  she  carried  the  good  wishes  of  many  friends. 

Miss  Anna  L.  Holding  was  elected  to  the  librarianship 
of  the  Brumback  Library  in  March,  19 13.  Graduating  in 
1 90 1  from  Oberlin  College  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  she 
was  elected  a  Phi  Beta  Kappa  in  1909,  when  the  chapter 
was  established  at  that  school.  Beginning  in  1901  she 
taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Morgantown,  W.  Va.,  taking 
at  the  same  time  post-graduate  work  at  the  University  of 
West  Virginia.  After  teaching  several  years  she  entered 
the  New  York  State  Library  School  and,  during  the  time 
she  spent  working  for  her  degree  of  B.  L.  S.,  which  she 


112  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

received  in  1908,  she  served  for  a  year  on  the  staff  of  the 
New  York  State  Library  in  the  catalogue  department.  She 
was  an  assistant  in  the  Carnegie  Library  at  Pittsburg  from 
1908  to  191 3,  when  she  came  to  the  Brumback  Library. 
Ahhough  she  entered  upon  her  new  work  but  recently,  she 
has  quickly  gained  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the 
county  work  and  her  influence  is  felt  in  all  the  departments 
of  the  library. 

It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  note  that  the  assistants  have  been 
Van  Wert  young  women  with  one  exception,  Miss  Louise 
Hawley,  who  was  with  the  library  twenty  months  as  school 
assistant ;  at  the  end  of  which  time  she  returned  to  her  home 
to  become  librarian  of  the  township  library  at  Milan,  Ohio. 
The  assistants  who  have  been  associated  with  the  work  of 
the  library  have  ably  seconded  the  librarians'  efforts.  Some 
of  these  have  been  imbued  with  the  true  library  spirit. 
They  have  worked  together  harmoniously  and  on  the  whole 
have  been  faithful  and  loyal  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
library.  Much  is  heard  today  of  the  advantage  of  "  team 
work  "  in  football  playing.  This  same  "  team  work  "  is 
necessary  to  the  success  of  a  library,  where  is  found  a 
diversity  of  talent,  each  individual  possessing  some  needful 
qualification  to  a  greater  or  less  degree.  But  when  the  work 
of  each  person  supplements  that  of  the  others,  what  strength 
exists  in  the  combination! 

Much  could  be  said  of  the  efficiency  of  the  present  staff, 
but  only  one  characteristic  of  the  work  of  each  will  be 
given.  Miss  Matthys  has  been  in  charge  of  the  loan  depart- 
ment for  eight  years.  Under  her  faithful  care  the  work 
of  this  department  is  making  steady  progress.  Miss  Swart- 
out  as  county  assistant  has  the  care  of  the  work  pertaining 
to  the  fifteen  county  stations.  In  the  six  years  of  her 
connection  with  the  library  she  has  proved  herself  syste- 
matic, a  very  necessary  qualification  because  of  the  detail 
in  this  department.     The  work  of  Mrs.  Conn  as  county 


o 
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LOCATION   OF  CONVERSE  BRANCH   LIBRARY 


LOCATION  OF  OHIO  CITY  BRANCH  LIBR-\RY 


THE  LIBRARY  STAFF  113 

school  assistant  is  marked  by  enthusiasm,  a  valuable  asset 
in  her  dealings  with  the  teachers  of  the  rural  schools  and  in 
her  personal  contact  with  the  children  at  the  central  library. 
The  library  has  been  represented  at  every  meeting  of  the 
Ohio  Library  Association,  1901-1913  inclusive,  except  in 
1907  and  1909,  in  the  last  of  which  years  a  change  of 
librarians  occurred.  On  some  occasions  assistants  and  trus- 
tees have  accompanied  the  librarian  to  the  meetings.  In 
two  instances  the  librarian  attended  the  meetings  of  the 
American  Library  Association,  and  once  she  went  to  the 
International  meeting. 

RULES     AND     REGULATIONS     FOR     THE     GOVERNMENT    OF     EMPLOYEES 
OF  THE  LIBRARY 

1.  The  Board  of  Trustees  shall  elect,  by  ballot,  a  librarian,  one 
or  more  assistants,  a  janitor  and  such  other  employees  as  may  be 
required,  a  majority  of  the  whole  Board  being  necessary  to  elect. 
They  shall  receive  such  compensation  as  the  Board  may  deter- 
mine, and  shall  be  subject  to  removal  at  any  time,  at  the  pleasure 
of  the  Board.  The  term  of  office  of  all  regular  employees  shall 
end  on  the  first  day  of  March  of  each  year. 

2.  Subject  to  the  directions  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the 
several  committees,  the  librarian  shall  have  charge  of  the  library 
building  and  grounds  and  shall  be  held  responsible  for  the  care 
and  safety  of  all  books  and  other  property  contained  therein  or 
connected  therewith,  as  well  as  for  the  orderly  deportment  of 
employees  and  patrons.  The  librarian  shall  also  perform  the 
following  duties: 

Control,  supervise  and  direct  the  working  force,  and  as  far  as 
practicable  assist  in  the  detail  work  of  the  several  departments. 

Keep  in  permanent  form  an  account  of  all  receipts  and  dis- 
bursements of  money  in  her  charge  and  make  a  monthly  report  of 
the  same  to  the  Board  of  Trustees. 

Make  a  monthly  report  of  the  operations  of  the  library,  includ- 
ing a  list  of  all  accessions  to  the  various  departments,  whether  by 
gift  or  purchase,  with  such  recommendations  as  will  best  promote 
the  efficiency  of  the  library. 

Keep  record  books  of  all  accessions  to  the  library,  with  the 
date  of  receipt,  and  in  case  of  donation,  the  name  and  place  of 
residence  of  the  donor.  Also,  see  that  all  accessions  are  properly 
classified,  shelf-listed  and  catalogued. 


114  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Prepare  an  annual  report  showing  as  fully  as  is  practicable 
the  operations  of  the  library  for  the  preceding  year,  with  an 
inventory  of  all  books,  furniture  and  the  contents  of  the  building. 

Seek  in  every  proper  way  to  promote  the  work  and  growth  of 
the  library. 

3.  The  assistant  librarians  shall  perform  such  duties  as  the 
librarian  may  direct. 

4.  The  janitor  is  required  to  work  ten  hours  per  day  and  such 
added  time  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  proper  performance  of 
his  duties.  He  is  subject  to  the  direction  of  the  librarian  and 
Board  of  Trustees  during  hours  of  service. 

5.  It  is  required  that  apprentice  applicants  accurately  fill  out  the 
prescribed  blanks  furnished  by  the  library  and  return  to  the 
librarian.  Those  desiring  to  enter  the  apprentice  class  must  have 
the  equivalent  of  a  high  school  education  and  must  pass  an  exami- 
nation in  history,  literature,  and  general  information  conducted  by 
the  librarian.  Other  necessary  qualifications  are  a  fair  knowledge 
of  books,  good  health,  courteous  manner,  neatness  in  appearance 
and  work,  accuracy,  speed,  reliability,  general  intelligence  and 
good  judgment.  These  more  general  qualifications  will  be  tested 
during  a  term  of  apprenticeship,  which  requires  288  hours,  the 
hours  per  day  to  be  arranged  with  the  librarian,  numbering  not 
more  than  five  nor  less  than  three.  For  these  288  hours  no 
remuneration  is  allowed,  the  opportunity  given  for  training  and 
experience  being  considered  full  compensation.  Only  regular 
technical  training  at  one  of  the  library  schools  or  a  sufficient 
previous  experience  in  library  work  can  be  accepted  as  an  equiva- 
lent to  this  experience  as  an  apprentice  before  receiving  a  regular 
appointment. 

The  library  does  not  guarantee  positions  to  those  who  finish 
the  course;  an  appointment  depending  upon  a  vacancy  in  the  staflf 
and  the  nature  of  the  position  to  be  filled. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  blank  to  be  signed  by  applicants : 

Name    

Age    

Health   

Education    

Library  Experience  

Motive  for  entering  apprentice  class 

6.  The  library  shall  be  open  week  days  from  9  A.  M.  to  9  P.  M. 
The  circulating  department  will  be  open  from  9  A.  M.  to  8  P.  M. 

The  length  of  a  working  day  for  members  of  the  library  staff 


THE  LIBRARY  STAFF  115 

is  seven  hours.  The  hours  of  the  librarian  and  assistants  shall, 
under  the  direction  of  the  librarian  and  the  committee  on  rules 
and  regulations,  be  arranged  by  schedule  to  insure  the  most 
efficient  service  to  the  public.  All  employees  are  required  to  be  in 
their  respective  places  during  the  prescribed  hours  of  their 
employment  and  to  give  prompt,  cheerful,  courteous  and  impar- 
tial attendance  to  the  patrons  of  the  library  and  to  their  various 
duties. 

7.  The  library  shall  be  open  and  free  to  all  every  week  day 
excepting  New  Year's  Day,  Memorial  Day,  Fourth  of  July, 
Thanksgiving  Day  and  Christmas  Day;  also  one-half  day  from 
noon  to  6  P.  M.  during  the  county  fair,  at  the  option  of  the  Board. 

8.  A  vacation  with  pay  is  granted  each  member  of  the  staff, 
but  it  cannot  be  taken  until  earned  by  service.  The  conditions 
are  as  follows: 

The  vacation  year  begins  and  ends  September  10.  Those  who 
have  been  appointed  during  the  year  have  a  proportionate  allow- 
ance of  hours  to  be  taken  after  the  end  of  the  vacation  year,  Sep- 
tember 10.  Those  leaving  the  library  during  the  year  are  entitled 
to  no  vacation.  Each  member  is  allowed  a  stated  number  of 
hours  for  the  year.  Any  absence  of  one  hour  or  more  must  be 
deducted  by  the  librarian  from  this  allowance  of  hours,  any  frac- 
tion of  an  hour's  absence  being  considered  a  full  hour.  The 
vacation  proper  consists  of  hours  left  to  the  credit  of  the  indi- 
vidual. Absences  occurring  between  the  expiration  of  the  vacation 
and  September  10  will  be  deducted  from  the  salary.  The  librarian 
must  be  notified  in  advance  by  assistants  of  any  intended  absence, 
or  as  soon  as  possible  in  case  of  an  unforeseen  absence.  Any 
absence  of  seven  or  more  continuous  hours  must  be  by  special 
permission  of  the  librarian  or  rules  committee.  Exchange  of 
hours  or  making  up  lost  time  is  not  permitted  except  in  rare  cases 
and  subject  to  the  approval  of  both  the  librarian  and  rules  com- 
mittee. It  is  urged  for  the  sake  of  good  health  that  the  vacation 
proper  be  taken  during  the  summer  and  it  should  be  taken  con- 
tinuously. Ordinarily  two  members  of  the  staff  must  not  be 
absent  at  the  same  time  and  vacations  must  be  so  arranged  that 
one  only  will  be  off  duty  at  any  given  time.  In  case  of  death  in 
the  immediate  family  of  an  employee,  there  shall  be  no  deduction 
of  pay  on  account  of  absence  for  a  reasonable  time.  The  librarian 
is  held  accountable  to  the  Board  for  the  enforcement  of  scheduled 
hours  and  a  correct  record  of  absences. 

9.  The  appointment  of  apprentices  and  all  regular  assistants 
is  made  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  the  general  service  and  all 


116  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

definite  assignments  of  work  are  made  by  the  librarian,  being  con- 
ditioned on  the  special  needs  of  the  various  departments  as  well 
as  the  qualifications  of  the  individual.  Promotions  from  year  to 
year  and  from  grade  to  grade,  and  all  salaries  for  special  positions 
are  determined  by  action  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  All  advances 
in  salaries  depend  upon  growth  and  increased  efficiency.  Seniority, 
the  mere  addition  of  another  year  to  the  term  of  service,  does  not, 
in  itself,  justify  an  advance  in  salary;  this  must  depend  upon  an 
increase  in  the  value  of  service  rendered  as  compared  with  pre- 
vious service.  Length  of  service  unaccompanied  by  increased 
efficiency  is  rather  a  reason  against  than  in  favor  of  an  advance 
in  salary;  on  the  other  hand,  exceptional  efficiency  and  rapid 
growth  may  be  recognized  by  more  rapid  promotion.  In  com- 
puting salaries  for  a  fraction  of  a  month,  twenty-six  days  is  used 
as  the  basis.* 

STAFF  OF  THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  TO  DATE 

Organiser 

Janet  M.  Green,  Chicago. 
Sept.  I,  1900,  to  Feby.  16,  1901. 

Librarians 

Ella  L.  Smith,  Aug.  15,  1900  —  July  11,  1905. 
Jane  W.  Brotherton,  Sept.  i,  1905  —  Dec.  20,  1909. 
Corinne  A.  Metz,  Dec.  20,  1909  —  Mch.  i,  1913. 
Anna  L.  Holding,!  April  7,  1913,  to  date. 

Assistants 

Kathryne  Meredith,  Loan  Department,  Nov.  i,  1900  —  Oct.  i,  1901. 
Zora  L.  Smith,  County  Department,  Nov.,  1901  —  Nov.  11,  1906. 
Florence  L.  Casto,  County  Department,  Sept.  i,  1902  —  Sept.  i,  1907. 
Carrie  A.  Matthys,f  Loan  Department,  Sept.  i,  1906,  to  date. 
Ethel  McDonald,  County  Department,  Oct.  i,  1907  —  Sept.  2,  1909. 
Ella  Swartout,-)-  County  Department,  Jan.  i,  1908,  to  date. 
Hazel   Austin,   Loan   Department,   Oct.    i,   1909  —  Dec.   9,   1909. 
Louise  Hawley,  County  School  Department,  Oct.  i,  1910  —  Aug. 

I,  1912. 
Ella  Bergert  Conn,f  School  Department,  Aug.  i,  1912,  to  date. 

*  Free  use  was  made  of  the  Cleveland  Library  rules  relative  to 
apprentices. 

t  Present  staff. 


THE  LIBRARY  STAFF 


117 


Apprentices 


Florence  Casto,  1901. 
Carrie  Matthys,  1903. 
Nancy  Crouch,  1905. 
Hazel  Austin,  1907. 
Ella  Swartout,  1907. 
Mary  Chandler,  1909. 
Marie  Carmody,  1912. 
Ruth  Stupp,  19 1 2. 


Emma  Swine  ford,  1902. 
Ethel  Clark,  1905. 
Leah  Wilson,  1907. 
Ethel  McDonald,  1907. 
Grace  McConahay,  1908. 
Lucille  Cusac,  1910. 
Marcia  Clark,  1912. 
Gertrude  McDonald,  191 2. 


Janitors 


Nelson  W.  Hatfield,  Dec.  i,  1900  —  July  14,  1906. 
Emmett  Gamble,*  July  16,  1906  —  to  date. 


♦Present  staff. 


CHAPTER  X 

THE  OPENING  OF  THE  CIRCULATING  DEPARTMENT 

"1~\URING  the  time  which  elapsed  between  the  signing 
-*--'  of  the  library  contract,  July  30,  1898,  and  the  dedica- 
tion of  the  library,  January  i,  1901,  the  Trustees,  appointed 
under  the  provisions  of  the  contract,  were  at  work,  prepara- 
tory to  the  day  when  the  library  should  be  opened  to  the 
public.  At  their  first  meeting,  June  2,  1899,  ^^^Y  ai>pointed 
two  committees :  one  to  request  the  County  Commissioners 
to  levy  a  tax  of  one-half  mill  for  library  purposes  for  the 
ensuing  year,  and  the  other  to  submit  rules  and  regulations 
governing  trustees,  employees,  and  patrons  of  the  library. 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board,  held  July  11,  1900,  it 
was  decided  to  employ  Miss  Janet  M.  Green,  of  Chicago,  a 
competent  library  organizer,  to  catalogue  the  1,800  books 
turned  over  by  the  Ladies'  Library  Association  and  the 
3,000  volumes  to  be  purchased  with  money  realized  from 
the  tax  levy.  She  began  the  work  September  i,  1900,  and 
was  assisted  by  Miss  Ella  Smith,  the  librarian-elect,  who 
had  been  the  successful  candidate  in  an  examination  of  the 
several  applicants  for  the  position. 

On  January  i,  1901,  the  doors  of  the  library  were  first 
thrown  open  to  the  public,  but  owing  to  the  fact  that  Miss 
Green  had  been  called  home  by  the  death  of  her  mother,  the 
circulating  department  was  not  put  into  operation  until 
January  28.  In  this  connection  the  following  press  com- 
ments are  of  interest. 

Yesterday  was  a  red-letter  day  for  all  Van  Wert  County, 
since  the  Brumback  Library  was  opened  to  the  public.  The 
good  which  will  be  derived  from  this  institution  cannot  be 

118 


OPENING  OF  CIRCULATING  DEPARTMENT  119 

estimated.  Although  the  weather  was  somewhat  disagreeable, 
nevertheless  some  of  the  people  of  the  county,  not  residing 
in  this  town,  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  and  car- 
ried away  several  volumes.  The  first  borrower's  card  was 
made  out  to  Mrs.  E.  P.  Brumback,  the  widow  of  the  donor 
of  the  building.  The  first  book  issued  to  a  resident  of  this 
city  was  "  The  First  Flute  and  Violin,"  by  James  L.  Allen, 
which  was  taken  by  T.  C.  Wilkinson.  Mr.  Yost,  of  Pleasant 
Township,  was  the  first  person  outside  of  the  city  of  Van 
Wert  to  call  for  a  book,  which  was  the  "  Biggie  Berry  Book." 
Up  to  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  about  two  score  books  had 
been  taken  away.  .  "  The  Redemption  of  David  Corson " 
and  "  L'Aiglon  "  were  two  of  the  books  which  were  in  great- 
est demand.  A  large  majority  of  the  books  issued  up  to 
this  time  were  books  of  history  and  travel ;  there  were  not  so 
many  volumes  of  fiction  borrowed  as  would  have  been  sup- 
posed. The  reading  and  reference  rooms  had  occupants  all 
day  long.  Children  came  into  the  library  by  the  dozen  asking 
for  books ;  they  were  given  blanks,  which  had  to  be  filled  out 
by  their  parents.  Several  of  them  hurried  out  after  being 
presented  with  slips  and  were  back  in  ten  minutes  with  the 
blanks  filled  out  in  full  and  waited  their  turn  to  get  books. 
The  latest  magazines,  journals  and  papers  of  the  day  are  in 
the  reading  room,  where  all  may  have  access  to  them. —  Van 
Wert  Democrat,  Jan.  29,  1901. 

The  Van  Wert  County  Public  Library  is  now  no  more  a 
theme  upon  which  people  ponder,  nor  does  it  exist  merely  in 
thought;  it  is  a  reality.  Good  libraries  are  of  great  value 
to  communities  and  greatly  aid  in  the  formation  of  a  better 
society,  and  are  thus  directly  a  means  of  better  government. 
We  have  long  since  been  in  need  of  local  libraries,  and  Har- 
rison Township  can  boast  of  at  least  one  school  library,  which 
at  present  contains  something  like  100  volumes ;  but  a  county 
library  means  something  to  us  entirely  diflferent.  Any  person 
in  the  county  is  entitled  to  the  use  of  books  if  he  complies 
with  the  rules  of  the  library.  We  were  opposed  to  the  county 
library  in  the  beginning  and  gave  our  reasons.  However, 
since  we  pay  taxes  and  in  this  way  help  to  keep  up  the 
library  we  ought  to  be  constantly  on  the  alert  and  make  the 
Van  Wert  County  Library  a  success ;  thus  showing  to  other 
counties  that  old  Van  Wert  is  now  no  more  a  backwoods 


120  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

settlement,  but  stands  in  the  front  rank  of  the  counties  of 
an  enUghtened,  intelligent  commonwealth.  Of  course  we  are 
aware  of  the  fact  that  country  people  have  to  overcome  a 
great  many  difficulties,  but  by  proper  arrangements  people 
from  most  parts  of  the  county  can  manage  to  return  the  books 
by  the  time  specified,  although  it  is  often  very  bad  getting 
to  town  in  winter.  Now  that  we  have  a  chance  to  read  mat- 
ter which  we  helped  to  buy,  let  us  one  and  all  embrace  the 
opportunity  and  show  that  country  people  can  read  to  ad- 
vantage as  well  as  city  people,  and  since  we  pay  most  of  the 
county's  taxes,  let  us  do  most  of  the  county's  reading. —  Van 
Wert  Democrat  (Harrison  Township  Items),  Jan.  29,  1901. 

If  one  were  to  go  down  to  the  Brumback  Library  and  watch 
the  stream  of  humanity  —  young  and  old  —  entering  its 
portals  from  morning  till  night  and  every  day  in  the  week, 
it  seems  to  us  that  such  a  person  would  feel  proud  of  the 
town  and  county  in  which  he  lives.  To  crave  and  hunger  for 
more  knowledge  is  the  best  indication  that  we  are  making 
progress. 

It  has  been  very  gratifying  to  the  management  to  notice 
that  the  country  people  are  just  as  eager  to  secure  the  bene- 
fits of  the  library  as  the  residents  of  towns  and  villages.  One 
farmer  came  in  Tuesday  morning  who  had  driven  eleven 
miles,  and  before  he  left  home  he  had  made  out  a  list  of 
books  that  he  wished  to  read  from  the  lists  already  published 
in  The  Republican  and  The  Times.  He  said  that  he  did  not 
want  to  wait  for  the  establishment  of  sub-stations.  Many 
have  applied  for  books  who  had  the  titles,  names  of  authors 
and  call  numbers  with  them  when  they  came  to  the  building, 
which  indicates  that  the  printed  lists  are  being  saved.  Up  to 
this  morning  over  280  volumes  have  been  taken  out  of  the 
library,  which  is  a  remarkably  large  number  for  the  three 
days  the  library  has  been  in  running  order. —  Van  Wert  Re- 
publican, Jan.  31,  1901. 

When  the  circulating  department  of  the  library  was 
opened  a  rule  was  at  once  put  into  operation  which,  though 
not  in  the  printed  rules,  was  thoroughly  understood  and 
enforced.  This  rule  was  the  limitation  of  two  borrowers* 
cards  to  each  family.    The  Board  made  this  rule  because  of 


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OPENING  OF  CIRCULATING  DEPARTMENT  121 

the  comparatively  small  number  of  books  then  in  the  library, 
and  because  it  was  their  intention  to  make  the  books  avail- 
able at  once  to  all  the  residents  of  the  county.  Therefore, 
to  give  those  living*  at  a  greater  distance  an  equal  chance 
with  those  living  in  the  city  of  Van  Wert  it  was  decided  to 
allow  but  two  books  to  any  one  family.  The  restriction  was 
not  removed  until  1908,  when  each  person  was  entitled  to  a 
card,  with,  however,  the  limitation  of  two  books  of  fiction 
in  a  family.  Later,  any  resident  was  allowed  both  a  fiction 
and  a  non-fiction  card.  At  the  present  time  any  resident  of 
eligible  age  is  entitled  to  a  card  upon  which  two  books  may 
be  drawn,  one  of  which  must  be  non-fiction.  In  case  of  any 
special  need  a  borrower  may  draw  other  books  on  his  card. 
The  general  rules  relative  to  the  use  of  the  library  are  as 
follows : 

1.  The  library  shall  be  open  and  free  to  all  every  week  day 
(excepting  New  Year's  Day,  Decoration  Day,  Fourth  of  July, 
Thanksgiving  Day  and  Christmas  Day),  from  9  A.  M.  to  9  P.  M. 
The  circulating  department  will  be  open  from  9  A.  M.  to  8  P.  M. 

2.  Residents  of  Van  Wert  County  and  transient  visitors  above 
the  age  of  nine  years  are  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  library 
upon  registering  their  names  and  residence  and  signing  an  agree- 
ment to  comply  with  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  library  and 
upon  complying  with  either  of  the  following  conditions: 

a.  Giving  satisfactory  bond  in  the  form  prescribed  by  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  revocable  at  the  pleasure  of  the  Board. 

b.  Depositing  three  dollars,  and,  in  special  cases,  such  further 
sums  as  the  value  of  the  book  asked  for  may,  in  the  judgment  of 
the  librarian,  require.  For  such  deposit  a  receipt  will  be  given, 
and  money  will  be  returned  when  all  liabilities  are  satisfied. 

3.  Money  security  will  be  received  only  where  it  is  impossible 
to  furnish  personal  security. 

4.  When  bond  security  is  given  it  must  be  renewed  at  least 
once  in  three  years,  or  upon  the  death  of  the  surety  or  his  removal 
from  the  county,  or  if  for  any  reason  the  committee  on  circula- 
tion consider  it  insufficient. 

[Note. —  The  above  requirements  relating  to  guarantor's  signa- 
ture are  not  generally  enforced  today.] 

5.  Non-residents  may  draw  books  from  the  library  by  com- 


122  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

plying  with  the  rules  for  residents,  and  by  paying  three  dollars 
annually  in  advance. 

6.  Each  person  entitled  to  draw  books  from  the  library  will  be 
supplied  with  a  card,  inscribed  with  his  name,  residence  and 
register  number.  This  card  must  be  presented  whenever  a  book 
is  taken,  returned  or  renewed.  Immediate  notice  of  a  change  of 
residence  must  be  given.  Neglect  to  do  this  may  subject  the  card- 
holder to  a  forfeiture  of  privileges. 

7.  The  registered  holder  of  a  card  is,  in  all  cases,  responsible 
for  books  drawn  by  means  of  his  card,  by  whomsoever  presented, 
and  for  all  fines  and  costs  accrued  on  the  same. 

8.  If  a  card  is  lost  a  duplicate  will  be  given  on  payment  of 
ten  cents,  or  without  fee,  at  the  expiration  of  two  weeks.  In 
order  to  avoid  responsibility  and  to  prevent  the  use  of  the  card  by 
unauthorized  persons,  notice  of  its  loss  must  be  given  immediately 
to  the  librarian. 

9.  Only  one  volume  may  be  taken  on  account,  unless  the  work 
be  in  two  volumes,  when,  at  the  discretion  of  the  librarian,  two 
volumes  may  be  taken.  Special  cards  may  be  issued  to  teachers 
allowing  them  the  privilege  of  drawing  a  number  of  volumes  for 
use  in  the  class-room. 

[Note. —  This  rule  has  been  changed  to  allow  a  borrower  two 
books  on  his  card,  provided  one  is  non-fiction.  He  is  also  per- 
mitted, at  the  discretion  of  the  librarian,  to  draw  other  books 
when  same  are  needed  for  special  home  study.  Other  special 
privileges  are  granted,  subject,  however,  to  change.] 

ID.  Books  may  be  retained  two  weeks,  and  may  be  once 
renewed  for  the  same  period.  No  book  shall  be  re-issued  to  the 
same  person  until  it  has  been  on  the  shelves  twenty-four  hours. 
Books  may  not  be  taken  and  returned  on  the  same  day.  Books 
of  recent  purchase,  labeled  "  Seven  Day  Book,"  shall  not  be 
retained  more  than  one  week,  and  may  not  be  renewed  or  trans- 
ferred. 

11.  Any  one  withholding  a  book  beyond  the  period  limit  in 
these  rules  shall  be  fined  two  cents  for  each  volume,  for  each  day 
over  time.  No  one  in  the  same  household  shall  receive  another 
book  until  the  fine  is  paid. 

12.  Persons  drawing  books  must  examine  their  cards  to  see 
that  correct  entries  are  made  thereon.  After  a  book  has  been 
taken  from  the  library  the  entry  therefor  will  be  conclusively 
presumed  to  be  correct. 

13.  Encyclopedias,  dictionaries,  bound  periodicals  and  other 
works  of  reference,  elaborately  illustrated  books,  and  other  volumes 


OPENING  OF  CIRCULATING  DEPARTMENT  123 

unsuited  for  general  circulation  may  be  used  only  in  the  library 
rooms. 

14.  Books  withheld  in  violation  of  the  rules,  after  reasonable 
notice  has  been  mailed  to  the  delinquent,  may  be  sent  for,  and  to 
the  fine  shall  be  added  the  expense  thereby  entailed.  No  book 
will  be  loaned  to  the  delinquent,  or  member  of  the  same  household, 
until  such  fines  or  charges  are  paid. 

15.  If  any  book  is  not  returned  within  one  month  after  notice 
is  mailed,  the  librarian  may  proceed  against  the  borrower  and 
guarantor  to  collect,  by  law,  the  value  of  the  book,  with  accrued 
fines  and  other  charges  to  the  date  of  payment. 

16.  In  computing  the  time  during  which  a  book  may  be 
retained,  the  day  on  which  the  book  is  taken  out  is  not  counted, 
but  Sundays,  holidays  and  other  days,  on  which  the  library  may  be 
closed,  are  always  counted,  except  when  such  days  happen  to  be 
the  ones  on  which  the  count  ends,  in  which  case  the  count  shall  end 
at  the  close  of  the  first  day  thereafter  on  which  the  library  may 
be  open. 

17.  Persons  having  any  form  of  contagious  disease  in  their 
residence  or  families  shall  not  be  permitted  to  draw  books  from 
the  library.  Any  person  in  possession  of  books  belonging  to  the 
library  and  on  whose  premises  contagious  diseases  exist  must 
report  the  same  to  the  librarian  before  returning  the  books,  and 
then  await  instructions  as  to  their  disposal.  No  fines  will  be 
charged  under  these  circumstances. 

18.  Books  are  presumed  to  be  in  good  condition  when  issued, 
and  the  last  borrower  shall  be  held  responsible  for  any  mutilation 
or  defacement,  unless  the  same  is  reported  when  the  book  is  taken 
out.  All  injuries  to  books,  beyond  reasonable  wear,  and  all  losses 
must  be  made  good  by  the  borrower,  and  failure  to  do  so  makes 
the  guarantor  responsible  and  may  lead  to  a  forfeiture  of  all 
privileges  to  the  borrower. 

19.  All  persons  above  the  age  of  nine  years,  of  respectable 
character,  and  of  such  orderly  conduct  as  not  to  interfere  with  the 
occupation  and  comfort  of  others,  shall,  during  all  regular  hours, 
have  free  use  of  the  papers,  periodicals  and  books  of  the  library 
for  consultation  in  the  building.  Children  under  nine  years  of 
age  must  be  accompanied  by  an  adult. 

20.  Conversation  and  conduct  inconsistent  with  quiet  and  good 
order  in  the  library  are  strictly  forbidden.  Talking  to  attendants, 
except  on  matters  pertaining  to  the  use  of  the  library,  is  not 
allowed.    No  person  shall  be  allowed  to  converse,  lounge,  sleep. 


124  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

partake  of  refreshments,  or  use  the  rooms  of  the  library  for  any 
other  purpose  than  that  for  which  they  are  intended. 

21.  Persons  mutilating  or  damaging  any  book,  paper  or 
periodical,  bound  or  unbound,  either  by  turning  down  leaves,  cut- 
ting, marking,  tearing,  or  in  any  other  way  that  injures  their 
value,  are  liable  to  prosecution  under  the  act  passed  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  entitled  "  AN  ACT  TO  PROVIDE 
FOR  THE  PUNISHMENT  OF  INJURY  DONE  TO  NEWS- 
PAPERS AND  PERIODICALS  IN  READING-ROOMS  AS 
FOLLOWS:  That  if  any  person  shall  intentionally  deface, 
obliterate,  tear  or  destroy,  in  whole  or  in  part,  any  newspaper, 
magazine  or  periodical  on  file  in  any  library  or  other  association 
in  this  state,  or  shall  cut  therefrom  any  article  or  advertisement, 
such  person  shall,  upon  conviction  thereof,  be  fined  in  any  sum  not 
exceeding  $ioo  nor  less  than  $io,  or  be  imprisoned  in  the  county 
jail  not  exceeding  thirty  days,  or  both  of  said  punishments,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  Court." 

22.  If  any  person  abuses  the  privileges  of  the  library  by 
unbecoming  conduct,  or  by  violation  of  any  of  the  regulations,  the 
librarian  or  assistants  shall  have  power  to  act  summarily  in  the 
matter,  and,  if  the  case  is  one  of  gross  offense,  cause  the  offender 
to  be  at  once  excluded  from  the  library,  reporting  all  such  cases  to 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  who  may  exclude  such  person  from  the 
library  for  a  time,  or  permanently,  according  to  the  nature  and 
degree  of  the  offense. 

23.  Patrons  of  the  library  who  feel  aggrieved  from  any  cause 
are  requested  to  report  their  grievance  to  the  librarian,  who  will 
see  that  the  matter  is  righted,  or  will  refer  it  to  the  Board  of 
Trustees. 

24.  These  rules  and  regulations,  or  any  of  them,  may  be  sus- 
pended by  the  affirmative  vote  of  five  members  of  the  full  Board 
of  Trustees. 

25.  Amendments  to  the  rules  and  regulations  shall  be  referred 
to  the  committee  on  rules  and  regulations,  and  shall  be  reported 
back  by  it  to  the  Board  of  Trustees  before  action  is  taken  thereon. 
It  shall  require  a  majority  vote  of  the  full  Board  of  Trustees  to 
amend  or  change. 

The  work  of  the  library  will  be  considered  under  the 
three  heads :  Central  Library,  Branch  Libraries,  and  Schools. 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE   CENTRAL   LIBRARY 

THE  work  done  at  the  central  library  in  so  far  as  it  has 
to  do  with  the  city  of  Van  Wert  is  very  similar  to  that 
of  the  average  municipal  library;  but  this  is  only  part  of 
the  work,  since  the  central  library  is  headquarters  for  all 
the  county  rural  extension  service.  The  routine  work  of 
the  library  is  carried  on  in  three  distinct  departments,  with 
an  assistant  at  the  head  of  each:  that  of  central  library 
proper,  that  of  the  county  branch  libraries  and  that  of  the 
schools  of  the  county  (both  city  and  country).  In  con- 
sidering the  work  of  the  central  library,  only  such  special 
features  as  may  be  of  interest  are  given. 

No  one  at  the  opening  of  the  library  had  any  idea  that  it 
would  grow  and  develop  so  rapidly.  Its  history  is  one  of 
expansion  in  all  directions  in  an  endeavor  to  meet  the 
increasing  demands  upon  it  for  books  and  library  service  of 
all  kinds ;  and  this  expansion  naturally  made  necessary  more 
funds,  more  labor,  more  working  space,  more  storage 
accommodations,  more  library  tools,  etc.  As  evidence  of 
this  growth,  in  the  first  year  a  new  wall-stack  was  placed  in 
the  west  reference  room;  the  following  year  the  east  room 
was  fitted  with  wall-stacks  for  reference  collections;  also 
one  additional  double  stack  and  two  wall-stacks  were  placed 
in  the  stack-room;  in  1907  the  walls  of  the  west  reference 
room  were  lined  with  shelving,  another  double  stack  was 
added  and  the  stacks  in  the  book-room  were  re-arranged, 
permitting  working  space  at  the  rear  of  the  room.  In  the 
meantime  cupboards  and  shelves  with  glass  doors  had  been 
built  in  a  basement  room.    Later,  in  another  basement  room, 

125 


126  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

the  county  school  collection  was  placed  on  rough  shelving, 
while  in  a  third  the  government  documents  were  temporarily 
housed.  In  19 13  a  second  stack-room  was  placed  over  the 
first  floor  book-room  with  the  same  number  of  stacks,  which 
almost  doubles  the  shelving  capacity  of  the  library. 

The  stairway  leading  to  the  upper  stack-room  and  all 
shelving  and  stacks  in  the  library,  except  those  in  the 
basement,  are  of  steel,  and  the  upper  stack  floor  is  of 
glass.  The  additional  shelving  permits  of  a  more  convenient 
arrangement  of  the  bound  periodicals  and  makes  it  possible 
to  set  aside  a  room  exclusively  for  children. 

Juvenile  books  represent  40%  to  50%  of  the  total  circula- 
tion in  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  children  have  not  received 
as  much  attention  as  has  been  desired.  They  have  had  a 
corner  of  tlieir  own  and  their  needs  have  been  as  carefully 
looked  after  as  possible  under  existing  conditions.  But 
now  they  have  the  direct  supervision  of  an  interested  assist- 
ant, in  a  small  room  of  their  own,  which  is  filled  with  their 
own  books.  Even  this  is  inadequate  for  the  children,  but 
it  may  shortly  lead  to  something  better,  as  it  is  the  intention 
of  the  Board  next  to  utilize  the  large  and  valuable  space  in 
the  basement  in  making  provision  not  only  for  a  com- 
modious children's  room  but  also  for  a  meeting-place  for 
county  committees,  teachers,  debate  workers  and  others. 
This  can  be  made  as  delightful  as  any  other  part  of  the 
building,  but  would  require  an  outlay  of  considerable  money, 
which  will  necessitate  its  postponement  for  a  time  owing 
to  the  extensive  improvements  of  1913. 

Up  to  the  present  time  the  income  of  the  library  has  been 
used  largely  in  establishing,  extending  and  maintaining  the 
service  of  the  library  in  the  county  and  in  providing  the 
necessary  equipment  of  books.  In  the  future,  with  25,000 
volumes  on  hand,  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  buy  books  so 
rapidly.  The  needs  of  each  department  can  be  more  accu- 
rately estimated  and  books  bought  accordingly. 


THE  CENTRAL  LIBRARY  127 

To  a  certain  extent  each  library  must  needs  be  a  law  unto 
itself.  A  university  library  must  be  large  and  well  adapted 
to  take  care  of  all  kinds  of  research  work,  a  city  library 
must  be  prepared  to  meet  the  varied  demands  of  a  cosmo- 
politan people  representing  innumerable  phases  of  city  activ- 
ity. The  mission  of  the  county  library  is  neither  of  these. 
Accordingly,  the  policy  for  the  future  will  not  be  to  build 
up  a  great  library  of  books  (although  the  time  will  soon 
come  when  there  will  be  as  many  books  as  there  are  people 
in  the  county),  but  rather  to  secure  a  moderate-sized  library 
and  to  keep  it  such,  a  library  that  can  be  properly  cared  for 
and  yet  amply  large  to  provide  for  the  county  work  easily, 
successfully  and  without  handicap.  To  make  the  library 
most  effective  it  is  necessary  that  a  sufficient  sum  be  expended 
annually  to  keep  the  collection  in  good  working  order  by  a 
system  of  elimination,  substitution  and  renewal.  In  other 
w^ords,  it  would  seem  advisable,  after  having  built  up  a 
working  library  of  books  fairly  adequate  to  the  service 
expected  of  it,  to  expend  more  of  the  library's  income  in 
getting  the  most  use  and  good  out  of  these  books.  Money 
spent  for  books  to  remain  in  idleness  is  ill  spent ;  but  when  it 
takes  them  to  the  people  or  brings  the  people  to  them,  it  is 
well  spent.  Persuaded  by  this  system  of  reasoning,  the 
Board  may  feel  justified  ere  long  in  using,  if  necessary, 
some  of  the  book  fund  each  year  wherewith  to  equip  the 
basement  for  the  good  of  the  library  patrons  and  to  attract 
other  patrons. 

Because  the  work  of  the  several  departments  of  the  library 
in  connection  with  the  county  extension  service  is  done  at 
the  central  library,  the  general  public  does  not  have  access 
to  the  main  stacks,  but  access  is  given  special  workers, 
such  as  teachers,  ministers  or  others  seeking  the  privilege 
for  particular  reasons.  However,  changing  and  varied  col- 
lections are  always  to  be  found  in  special  cases  in  the  read- 
ing-room.   In  1904  and  again  in  1908  the  rotation  plan  was 


128  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

used.  In  order  that  the  patrons  of  the  Hbrary  might  have 
an  opportunity  to  examine  all  the  books  on  the  shelves,  a 
section  of  books  from  each  class  was  placed  periodically  in 
the  display  case  holding  200  volumes  and  located  at  the 
right  of  the  delivery  desk.  This  was  continued  until  the 
entire  collection  had  been  reviewed.  Other  general  col- 
lections placed  in  the  reading-room  are  selected  from  various 
lists  of  best  books.  Here  are  also  to  be  found  special  col- 
lections on  timely  subjects  of  interest  to  the  general  public. 

In  the  course  of  time,  it  became  the  custom  among  cer- 
tain cliques  to  monopolize  the  popular  books  of  fiction.  To 
break  this  up,  in  1906  the  postal  reserve  system  was  inaug- 
urated by  which  anyone  could  have  a  book  held  for  him  on 
registering  his  name  and  depositing  a  cent  to  cover  cost  of 
notification.  Six  hundred  and  forty-seven  took  advantage 
of  this  the  first  year. 

In  191 1,  in  addition  to  a  borrower's  card  allowing  the 
holder  to  draw  two  books,  one  non-fiction,  as  well  as  other 
books  for  special  work,  another  special  privilege  was  granted. 
This  permits  library  borrowers  who  leave  home  for  an 
extended  stay  during  the  summer  months  to  draw  five 
books  other  than  seven-day  books,  which  may  be  retained 
without  renewal  until  October  i,  after  which  a  fine  of  two 
cents  a  day  accrues  on  each  book. 

The  city  of  Van  Wert  has  a  remarkable  number  of  clubs 
and  other  organizations.  The  library  has  always  aimed  to 
serve  the  book  needs  of  all  these.  To  do  this  more  effectually 
a  clipping  collection  was  started  in  19 10.  Moreover,  in  19 13 
the  accumulated  material  for  a  picture  collection  was  assem- 
bled, catalogued  and  made  available  for  use.  At  times 
shelves  have  been  reserved  for  the  books  in  use  by  the  clubs, 
and  assistance  is  always  given,  when  desired,  in  making 
programmes  based  on  the  library  collection. 

In  1 910  the  library  passed  through  an  experience  which  it 
is  hoped  will  not  soon  be  repeated,  when  small-pox  assumed 


THE  CENTRAL  LIBRARY  129 

the  proportions  of  a  mild  epidemic  in  Van  Wert  City  and 
some  parts  of  the  county.  The  library  took  steps  imme- 
diately to  use  every  precaution  to  prevent  any  possible  spread 
of  the  contagion  through  the  library  books.  The  station 
at  Elg^n  was  closed  for  a  month  owing  to  the  prevalence 
of  the  disease  in  that  locality.  Although  the  central  library 
was  not  closed  at  any  time,  no  effort  was  made  to  increase 
the  use  of  the  books.  Daily  communication  with  the  health 
officer  was  maintained  and  any  books  which  were  in  homes 
where  there  was  known  to  be  infection  were  burned.  Each 
day's  return  of  books  over  the  desk  was  thoroughly  fumi- 
gated, as  were  all  those  returned  from  the  county.  This 
fumigation  continued  from  March  3  to  April  26.  The  fact 
that  no  one  in  the  library  has  ever  contracted  any  form  of 
contagious  disease,  which  seems  to  be  the  experience  of 
other  libraries,  would  indicate  that  the  danger  of  infection 
from  library  books  is  slight. 

One  of  the  pleasing  events  in  the  history  of  the  library 
was  a  lecture  at  the  library  by  Miss  Edna  Lyman,  of  Oak 
Park,  Illinois,  on  the  subject  of  "  The  Listening  Child." 
Teachers  of  the  county  and  town  schools  and  Sunday 
schools  and  all  other  interested  persons  were  invited  to  be 
present.  Another  treat  of  a  similar  nature  was  afforded 
both  adults  and  children  during  the  summer  of  191 3  at  the 
Chautauqua  in  the  sessions  conducted  by  Miss  Georgene 
Faulkner,  "  The  Story  Lady."  At  one  of  the  Chautauqua 
sessions  for  teachers  the  librarian  was  invited  to  give  a  talk 
on  children's  books.  Such  opportunities  are  gladly  em- 
braced, as  they  aid  in  disseminating  a  knowledge  of  the 
library's  resources.  Other  speakers  at  the  Chautauqua  said 
a  good  word  concerning  the  usefulness  of  the  Brumback 
Library  to  the  county.  The  sentiment  of  the  librarian  in 
her  fourth  annual  report  is  heartily  to  be  endorsed.  "  Much 
good  has  been  done  by  the  timely  word  spoken  by  those  who 
come  among  us  as  strangers ;  notably  by  the  instructors  of 


130  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

the  different  farmers'  and  teachers'  institutes  held  in  the 
county.  Often  a  word  spolcen  at  the  right  moment  by  a 
wholly  disinterested  person  carries  more  weight  than  all 
that  can  be  said  by  those  closely  connected  with  an  institu- 
tion and  presumably  personally  interested  in  its  success; 
and  to  those  we  gratefully  acknowledge  our  debt  of  grati- 
tude." Another  pleasing  Chautauqua  incident  of  special 
interest  to  the  library  was  the  planting,  by  special  request, 
of  two  elm  trees  in  the  library  park  by  Ex-Gov.  J.  Frank 
Hanley  and  Congressman  Richmond  Pearson  Hobson, 
whose  famous  debate  on  the  question,  "  Should  the  nations 
of  the  earth  disarm,"  was  the  chief  Chautauqua  attraction 
for  191 3.  At  five  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  July  31,  after 
preparations  for  planting  the  trees  had  been  made,  Ex-Gov. 
Hanley  said,  "  I  plant  this  tree  in  the  name  of  fraternity 
and  peace  "  and  Congressman  Hobson  said,  "  I  plant  this 
tree  in  the  name  of  fraternity  and  peace  and  in  the  hope 
that  it  will  receive  all  the  protection  necessary  during  its 
young  life." 

Some  of  the  special  work  done  by  the  central  library  has 
been  that  of  preparing  suggestive  book  lists  on  various  sub- 
jects. A  few  of  the  lists  are  as  follows :  Some  of  the  best 
books  of  each  year  compiled  by  the  New  York  State  Library ; 
Recent  books  on  agriculture  (frequent  lists  of  these)  ;  Col- 
lege stories  for  girls;  Legal  novels;  Book  notice  calling 
attention  to  the  set  of  books  entitled  "  Modern  Medicine," 
compiled  by  Dr.  Edward  William  Osier  (recommended 
for  purchase  by  the  Van  Wert  County  Medical  Associa- 
tion) ;  Books  on  kindness  to  animals  (by  request  of  the  local 
Humane  Society)  ;  Books  for  the  Ohio  Teachers'  Reading 
Circle ;  Books  for  Sunday  school  workers ;  Books  of  interest 
to  business  men ;  Book  notice  of  "  Reminiscences  "  by  Carl 
Schurz,  whom  Van  Wert  had  the  honor  to  entertain ;  Books 
on  the  drama;  Books  on  corn  growing;  Books  for  parents 
and  teachers;  Novels  of  the  American  Revolution  for  the 


THE  CENTRAL  LIBRARY  131 

D.  A.  R. ;  Books  on  Woman's  Suffrage ;  Books  of  interest 
to  housekeepers;  Books  for  children,  etc.  Brief  lists  on 
special  and  timely  subjects  were  also  prepared  and  printed 
each  week  in  the  daily  papers,  and  copies  of  these  were  run 
off  for  distribution.  This  plan  was  so  successfully  carried 
out  for  some  time  that  it  will  again  be  put  into  operation. 

Free  use  has  been  made  of  bulletin  boards  with  the  object 
of  attracting  attention  to  special  days  and  events  of  the  year 
and  to  books  on  particular  subjects.  Occasional  exhibits 
are  also  made,  a  few  of  which  are  herewith  mentioned. 
An  exhibit  on  home  economics  was  made  in  1908  when 
Van  Wert  was  becoming  interested  in  domestic  science  and 
manual  training  for  the  public  schools.  A  large  new  high 
school  building  has  now  a  complete  equipment  for  these 
departments.  A  book-binding  display  from  the  Newark, 
N.  J.,  public  library  attracted  many  people  to  the  reading- 
room.  Books  were  shown  in  the  various  stages  of  binding, 
together  with  one  hundred  or  more  mounts  containing 
samples  of  the  materials  used  in  book-binding.  Attractive 
pictures  illustrating  the  uniforms  of  the  army  were  pre- 
sented to  the  library  by  the  War  Department  and  placed 
on  exhibition.  Another  collection  of  pictures  showing  the 
use  and  protection  of  our  national  forests,  loaned  to  the 
library  for  a  limited  period  by  the  United  States  Forest 
Service  Bureau  at  Washington,  was  displayed  to  the  public. 
Both  of  these  collections  were  of  general  interest.  Exhibits 
of  books  for  Christmas  gifts  are  made  annually,  together 
with  other  suggestive  Christmas  features. 

In  this  connection,  it  might  be  added  that  a  clearing- 
house of  suitable  library  exhibits  having  to  do  with  the  arts 
and  trades,  which  would  loan  such  exhibits  at  a  reasonable 
rental,  would  be  a  boon  to  many  libraries.  Or,  if  loans  of 
various  kinds  are  available  from  any  one  source  at  the 
present  time,  let  it  be  made  more  generally  known  to  libra- 
ries of  towns  and  cities  which  do  not  have  the  advantage  of 


132  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

art  museums.  There  has  lately  been  some  general  discus- 
sion in  the  Library  Journal  as  to  how  the  American  Library 
Association  might  become  more  serviceable.  Would  it  be 
out  of  keeping  to  suggest  here  that  in  addition  to  its  present 
helpful  work  some  such  work  as  this  along  more  general 
lines  might  lie  within  the  province  of  the  A.  L.  A.?  If  it 
were  to  do  specific  work  of  this  kind  whereby  the  smaller 
libraries  would  be  strengthened,  this  would  be  an  added 
inducement  to  them  to  seek  membership  in  the  National 
Association  and  there  would  be  mutual  helpfulness. 

Mr.  Percy  F.  Bicknell,  a  distinguished  literary  critic,  has 
the  following  to  say  of  the  eleventh  annual  report  of  the 
Brumback  Library: 

A  county  library  in  Ohio,  founded  eleven  years  ago,  con- 
siderably in  advance  of  the  now  famous  California  county 
library  system,  issues  its  annual  report  in  a  readable  pamphlet 
entitled  "  The  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County." 
Especially  notable  in  this  eleventh  annual  record  of  progress 
is  the  largeness  of  result  as  compared  with  the  smallness  of 
outlay.  At  an  expense  of  only  seven  thousand  dollars  (or 
$7,013.64,  to  be  exact,)  the  activities  of  the  central  library 
at  Van  Wert  and  of  its  fifteen  branch  stations  and  school 
libraries  have  gone  on  for  a  year.  It  is  true  that  the  entire 
county  numbers  less  than  30,000  inhabitants,  but  even  so  the 
maintenance  of  so  good  a  library  service  (including  purchase 
of  new  books  and  payment  of  all  other  expenses)  at  so  small 
a  cost  to  those  served  is  worthy  of  note.  The  Van  Wert 
library  workers  deserve,  of  course,  more  generous  financial 
support.* 


♦  The  Dial,  July  16,  1912. 


CHAPTER  XII 

THE   BRANCH    LIBRARIES 
I9OI 

THE  Board  at  their  first  meeting  after  the  opening  of 
the  library  turned  their  attention  to  the  matter  of  the 
extension  of  Hbrary  privileges  to  the  rural  districts.  They 
realized  that  it  was  desirable  to  make  the  library  of  value 
to  the  entire  county  by  wide-spread  library  service  and  thus 
eliminate  possible  criticism  of  its  work.  They  considered  it 
just  and  right  that  special  attention  should  be  shown  those 
who,  living  at  a  distance  from  Van  Wert,  could  not  have 
immediate  access  to  the  library's  resources.  Since  the  peo- 
ple in  all  cases  could  not  come  to  the  library  for  books,  it 
only  remained  for  the  books  to  be  sent  to  the  people.  In 
pursuance  of  this  policy,  the  Board  at  once  began  to  consider 
plans.  Having  no  precedent  or  model  to  follow  in  this 
rural  extension  library  service  they  could  only  proceed 
experimentally. 

The  town  of  Willshire  as  one  of  the  most  remote  points 
in  the  county  was  the  first  to  receive  a  collection  of  books. 
This  was  fitting  for  another  reason,  since  Willshire  Town- 
ship was  the  first  part  of  the  county  to  be  settled  and  the 
town  Willshire  was  the  first  county-seat.  Accordingly, 
on  February  19,  1901,  about  one  hundred  books  were  sent 
to  the  hardware  store  of  Hurless  and  Brown,  where,  placed 
in  a  neat  book-case,  they  were  cared  for  by  Ellsworth 
Brown.  Willshire  at  present  has  a  population  of  653  and 
lies  eighteen  miles  southwest  of  Van  Wert.  It  has  no 
direct  connection  by  railroad.     The  Clover  Leaf  Railroad 

133 


134  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

passes  through  it  and  books  are  shipped  to  the  station  with 
a  change  of  cars.  Visits  are  made  to  the  branch  by 
automobile. 

Saturday  was  the  opening  day  of  the  Willshire  Branch  of 
the  Brumback  Library.  We  made  a  visit  to  the  Hurless  and 
Brown  hardware  store,  wheie  the  hbrary  is  located,  and  found 
that  the  library  contained  105  up-to-date  and  educational 
books.  Twenty-five  of  our  young  people  availed  themselves 
of  the  books.  Willshire  has  long  needed  a  library  or  this 
kind  and  is  well  pleased  with  its  branch  library,  which  will 
be  open  on  Tuesdays,  Thursdays  and  Saturdays.  The  only 
drawback  now  is  that  many  found  the  books  so  interesting 
that  they  soon  read  them  and  could  get  no  more  until  Tuesday. 
The  young  men  and  women  of  Willshire  feel  that  they  owe 
a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  Brumback  heirs. —  Van  Wert  Repub- 
lican, Feb.  28,  1 90 1. 

The  present  location  of  the  branch  is  the  drug  store  of 
W.  W.  Parks,  who  gives  it  interested  attention. 

And  now  followed  the  establishment  of  branches  as 
quickly  as  satisfactory  arrangements  could  be  made.  March 
7,  1901,  fifty  books  were  sent  to  Ohio  City,  Liberty  Town- 
ship, and  located  in  the  drug  store  of  J.  A.  Swoveland. 
Ohio  City  has  a  population  of  860  and  lies  eight  miles  south 
of  Van  Wert  on  the  Erie,  Clover  Leaf,  and  Cincinnati 
Northern  railroads,  the  last  of  which  connects  it  with 
Van  Wert. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  our  original  T opposed 

the  Brumback  Library  movement  somewhat,  we  should  like 
to  have  a  branch  library  established  in  Ohio  City  as  soon  as 
possible.  Good  books  are  the  best  of  companions  and  our 
young  people  would  greatly  appreciate  the  opportunity  to  read 
them.  Other  towns  in  the  county  are  hustling  to  get  their 
sub-stations  started  and  it  is  high  time  that  we  should  share 
in  the  benefits  as  well  as  in  the  expense. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin 
(Ohio  City  Items),  March  15,  1901. 

March  11,  1901,  fifty  volumes  were  placed  in  the  drug 
store  of  B,  F.  Leslie,  at  Convoy,  Tully  Township.    Convoy 


CO 


2- 


CO 

C 

G 
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J 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  135 

has  a  population  of  741  and  is  located  eight  miles  west  of 
Van  Wert  on  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  and  the  Ohio  Elec- 
tric Traction  Line,  both  of  which  connect  it  with  Van  Wert. 
From  its  establishment  to  the  present  time  the  branch  has 
remained  with  Mr.  Leslie,  and  for  six  consecutive  years, 
beginning  with  1908,  it  has  led  the  circulation  of  all  the 
branches. 

Fifty  books  were  sent  March  12,  1901,  to  Middlepoint, 
Washington  Township,  where  H.  A.  Mohler  took  charge 
of  them  in  his  drug  store.  The  branch  remains  in  this  loca- 
tion at  the  present  time.  Middlepoint  has  a  population  of 
607  and  is  located  eight  miles  east  of  Van  Wert  on  the 
Pennsylvania  Railroad  and  the  Ohio  Electric  Traction  Line. 

March  14,  1901,  there  were  placed  one  hundred  books 
in  the  law  office  of  Judge  B.  J.  Brotherton,  of  Delphos, 
which  were  cared  for  by  his  daughter.  Miss  Jane  Brother- 
ton,  and  later  by  other  members  of  the  family.  It  remained 
in  this  location  until  April,  19 13,  when  it  was  transferred  to 
the  new  public  library.  Delphos  has  a  population  of  5,038, 
2,482  of  whom  live  in  Van  Wert  County  and  the  remainder 
in  Allen  County.  The  city  is  about  fourteen  miles  east  of 
Van  Wert  and  is  connected  with  it  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  and  the  Ohio  Electric  Traction  Line.  The  follow- 
ing article  from  the  Delphos  Courant  of  May  8,  1901,  is  of 
interest,  giving,  as  it  does,  a  list  of  one  of  the  first  county 
collections: 

Miss  Jennie  Brotherton  in  charge  of  the  Delphos  Delivery 
Station  of  the  Brumback  Library  has  kindly  furnished  us 
with  the  following  list  of  the  books  now  here.  Over  fifty 
cards  have  been  taken  out  for  the  privilege  already.  Our 
readers  should  file  this  list  away,  since  it  will  be  found  a  con- 
venience in  the  use  of  the  library.  The  station  is  at  the  law 
office  of  Judge  Brotherton  and  will  be  open  on  Tuesdays  from 
2  to  5  P.  M.,  and  on  Saturdays  from  9  A.  .M.  to  12  M. 
As  Miss  Brotherton  is  serving  without  any  compensation,  the 
public  should  be  as  considerate  in  the  observance  of  the  rules 
as  possible. 


136  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Portrait  of  a  Lady,  Henry  James;  We  All,  Octave  Thanet; 
The  Golden  Age  in  Transylvania,  Maurus  Jokai;  Gustav  Adolf, 
Topelius;  The  Regent's  Daughter,  Alexander  Dumas;  The 
Chevalier  D'Harmental,  Alexander  Dumas;  The  Sowers,  H. 
Seton  Merriman;  A  Humble  Romance,  Mary  E.  Wilkins;  Three 
Men  on  Wheels,  Jerome  K.  Jerome;  Pudd'nhead  Wilson,  Mark 
Twain;  Stalky  &  Co.,  Rudyard  Kipling;  The  Bicyclers  and  Three 
Other  Farces,  J.  K.  Bangs;  The  Sleeping  Car  and  Other  Farces, 
W.  D.  Howells;  The  King's  Henchman,  W.  H.  Johnson;  History 
of  Pendennis,  W.  M.  Thackeray;  Ninety-Three,  Victor  Hugo; 
The  Monastery,  The  Abbot,  Walter  Scott;  Rienzi,  Bulwer;  The 
Pilgrims  of  the  Rhine,  Bulwer;  An  Independent  Daughter,  Amy 
Blanchard;  In  Vain,  H.  Sienkiewicz;  Uncle  Remus  and  His  Say- 
ings, J.  C.  Harris;  The  Premier  and  the  Painter,  Israel  Zangwill; 
Alice  of  Old  Vincennes,  Maurice  Thompson;  The  Redemption  of 
David  Corson,  Charles  F.  Goss;  L'Aiglon,  English  Translation; 
Richard,  Yea  and  Nay,  Maurice  Hewlitt;  Eben  Holden,  I.  Bach- 
eller ;  Bits  of  Travel  at  Home,  H.  H.  Jackson ;  An  American  Girl 
in  London,  Mrs.  E.  Cotes ;  Old  England,  James  M.  Hoppin ;  Excur- 
sions, H.  D.  Thoreau;  Walden,  H.  D.  Thoreau;  In  the  Dozy 
Hours,  Agnes  Repplier;  Essays  on  Work  and  Culture,  Hamilton 
W.  Mabie;  Representative  Men,  R.  W.  Emerson;  John  Gabriel 
Borkman,  Henrik  Ibsen;  The  Aztecs,  Biart;  Primitive  Industry, 
C.  C.  Abbot;  Stories  from  the  Greek  Tragedies,  Church;  Greek 
Gods,  Heroes  and  Men,  Harding;  The  Story  of  the  Nations 
(Mexico),  Hale;  The  Conspiracy  of  Pontiac  (2  vols.),  Parkman; 
Boys  of  1812,  James  E.  Soley;  History  of  Romulus,  John  Abbott; 
History  of  Louis  the  Fourteenth,  John  Abbott;  History  of  Louis 
Philippe,  John  Abbott;  Richelieu,  Richard  Dodge;  The  French 
War  and  the  Revolution,  Sloan;  Twelve  Naval  Captains,  Sewell; 
Czar  and  Sultan,  Archibald  Forbes;  Kit  Carson,  Abbott;  The 
Evolution  of  Christianity,  Lyman  Abbott;  Origin  of  Religion,  F. 
Max  Muller;  Darwinism  and  Other  Essays,  John  Fiske;  A  Popu- 
lar History  of  Music,  Matthews;  What  is  Good  Music,  Henderson; 
The  Standard  Operas,  Upton;  Love  Songs  of  Childhood,  Eugene 
Field;  Open  Sesame  (3  vols.),  compiled  by  Bellany  and  Goodwin; 
Electricity  in  Modern  Life,  C.  W.  de  Tunzelman;  The  Story  of 
Architecture,  Matthews;  History  of  Ancient  Art,  Reber;  History 
of  Mediaeval  Art,  Reber;  European  Schools,  Klem;  Jimty  and 
Others,  M.  S.  Brisco;  Two  Prisoners,  Thomas  N.  Page;  Boys  of 
Scrooby;  The  Red  Fairy  Book,  Andrew  Lang;  The  Story  Hour, 
Kate  D.  Wiggin;  The  Hero  of  Manila,  Johnson;  The  Young  Me- 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  137 

chanic,  James  Lukin ;  Historic  Boys,  E.  S.  Brooks ;  Against  Heavy 
Odds,  H.  H.  Boyeson ;  The  Swordmaker's  Son ;  Child  of  Tuscany, 
M.  Bouvet;  Ranald  Bannerman's  Boyhood,  Geo.  MacDonald; 
Arabian  Nights,  Andrew  Lang ;  Dorothy  Deane ;  Jolly  Good  Times ; 
Stories  for  Boys,  Richard  Harding  Davis;  Little  Royal  Highness, 
Ogden ;  Tales  of  the  Enchanted  Islands  of  the  Atlantic,  T.  W.  Hig- 
ginson;  Wee  Dorothy,  Updegraff;  Eye-spy,  William  H.  Gibson; 
Every  Day  Butterflies,  Samuel  H.  Scudder;  Short  Stories  of  our 
Shy  Neighbors,  Kelly ;  Little  Beasts  of  Field  and  Wood,  Cram ;  The 
Insect  World,  Weed;  The  First  Book  of  Birds,  Miller;  In  Bird 
Land,  Keyser ;  Bird  Studies  with  a  Camera,  Chapman ;  A  Guide  to 
the  Trees,  Alice  Lounsberry;  Tales  from  Shakespeare,  Lamb; 
American  Indians,  Starr. 

Since  half  of  the  city  of  Delphos  lies  in  Van  Wert  County 
and  the  other  half  in  Allen  County,  the  question  arose  as  to 
whether  those  Hving  in  the  Allen  County  half  of  Delphos 
but  who  paid  taxes  on  property  in  Van  Wert  County  might 
have  the  use  of  the  books  in  the  Delphos  branch  of  the 
Brumback  Library.  Subsequently  the  question  came  up  in 
the  case  of  other  towns  in  the  county,  one  of  which,  Scott, 
lies  half  in  Van  Wert  County  and  half  in  Paulding  County, 
and  another  of  which,  Dixon,  lies  half  in  Van  Wert  County 
and  half  in  Indiana.  In  each  case  the  ruling  that  the  library 
is  free  to  all  residents,  those  having  their  actual  abode 
within  the  county,  has  been  adhered  to.  It  is  quite  evident 
that  any  other  arrangement  would  result  in  many  compli- 
cations. However,  the  annual  fee  for  non-residents  was 
reduced  from  five  to  three  dollars,  making  it  possible  for 
a  non-resident,  for  the  price  of  a  popular  magazine,  to 
enjoy  all  the  privileges  of  the  county  library.  A  few  living 
in  adjoining  counties  have  made  use  of  the  county  stations 
on  payment  of  this  fee. 

A  branch  was  established  at  Venedocia,  York  Township, 
May  17,  1901,  in  the  hardware  store  of  Jones  and  Jones. 
Venedocia  has  a  population  of  247  and  is  located  eleven 
miles  from  Van  Wert  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the 


138  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

county.  The  Clover  Leaf  Railroad  passes  through  the  town, 
and  books  are  sent  to  the  station  with  one  change.  This 
town  is  a  Welsh  settlement  and  noted  for  the  sweet  singing 
of  its  people.  Its  male  choruses  have  carried  away  prizes 
in  a  number  of  Eisteddfodau  and  received  honorable  men- 
tion in  national  and  international  contests.  Since  1903,  this 
branch  has  been  in  the  store  of  D.  J.  Evans,  postmaster. 

Dasie,  Harrison  Township,  is  a  trading-center,  not  being 
an  incorporated  town.  Here  a  branch  was  established  May 
25,  1 901,  and  placed  in  the  general  store  of  L.  B.  Springer, 
who  has  had  charge  of  it  to  the  present  time.  Dasie  has  no 
railroad  or  traction  line  facilities  and  has  communication 
with  Van  Wert  only  by  wagon  road.  It  lies  ten  miles  south- 
west of  the  county-seat  and  its  boxes  of  books  are  carried 
back  and  forth  by  the  proprietor  of  the  store,  who  makes 
regular  trips  to  Van  Wert  in  connection  with  his  business. 
He  is  allowed  transportation  charges.  Many  of  the  men 
from  the  surrounding  country  congregate  in  this  store  dur- 
ing the  winter  evenings  to  talk  and  read  books. 

Cavett,  Union  Township,  is  also  only  a  trading-center,  not 
being  an  incorporated  town.  A  branch  was  established 
here  June  3,  1901,  and  was  placed  in  charge  of  W.  M. 
Hoaglin,  postmaster  and  proprietor  of  a  general  store.  The 
place  is  on  the  Cincinnati  Northern  Railroad,  which  connects 
it  with  Van  Wert,  and  lies  about  five  miles  north  of  the 
county-seat.  In  19 10,  C.  L.  Gordon  purchased  the  store 
and  assumed  charge  of  the  branch. 

Not  until  this  time  did  the  Board  reach  a  conclusion  as 
to  the  proper  remuneration  for  those  in  charge  of  the 
branches.  Many  were  glad,  without  recompense,  to  have 
these  libraries  in  their  places  of  business,  prompted  by  the 
generous  motive  of  assisting  in  the  good  work,  though  at 
the  same  time  they  realized  that  the  books  would  be  an 
inducement  to  bring  customers  to  their  stores.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  Board,  appreciative  of  the  fact  that  there  would 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  139 

be  some  duties  connected  with  the  care  of  the  branches  on 
the  part  of  those  assuming  charge  of  them,  felt  that  the 
custodians  were  entitled  to  some  remuneration;  and  if  they 
were  paid  a  nominal  sum  a  few  necessary  requirements 
could  be  more  freely  exacted  of  them.  Consequently  the 
Board  decided  to  pay  each  custodian  of  a  branch  $50  a  year 
in  semi-annual  payments. 

It  has  been  suggested,  since  the  work  of  the  branches 
varies,  being  more  in  some  cases,  less  in  others,  that  the 
branch  librarians  be  paid  according  to  the  circulation  of 
their  respective  branches.  There  are  serious  objections 
to  this  plan.  It  would  be  difficult  to  put  it  into  practical 
operation,  and,  besides,  it  is  opposed  to  the  real  spirit  of  the 
work.  The  keynote  of  the  county  work  has  been  and  is  today 
the  cultivation  of  virgin  soil  in  the  extension  of  library  serv- 
ice. The  only  justification  for  the  existence  of  a  county 
library  at  all  is  that  it  may  reach  the  rural  population  as  well 
as  the  residents  of  towns  and  cities.  The  circulation  of 
books  at  a  cross-roads  center,  while  comparatively  small,  is 
just  as  important  as  the  circulation  of  books  in  a  town.  The 
branch  librarian  who  seeks  to  render  library  service  to  those 
living  in  less  accessible  territory  is  just  as  worthy  of  remu- 
neration as  the  branch  librarian  whose  efforts  more  easily 
meet  with  success  because  of  a  larger  and  more  compact  con- 
stituency. It  is  always  most  gratifying  to  have  a  large  cir- 
culation, and  the  efforts  that  produce  it  are  to  be  commended ; 
nor  is  it  desired  to  minimize  the  importance  of  statistics, 
since  they  are  in  a  great  measure  indicative  of  the  work  done. 
But  often  the  best  work  of  the  library  cannot  be  expressed  in 
figures.  That  feature  which  commends  the  work  of  the 
county  library  is  not  the  number  of  books  which  circulate, 
but  to  what  extent  are  the  people,  hitherto  deprived  of 
library  privileges,  reached  and  influenced  by  library  ser\'ice. 

As  illustrative  of  this  thought,  the  following  incident  is 
g^ven,  which  was  recently  told  the  librarian  in  her  round  of 


140  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

visits  to  the  county  stations  by  a  branch  librarian  in  charge 
of  a  station  near  the  foot  of  the  Hst  because  of  its  small 
circulation.  He  said  a  boy  who  some  time  ago  chanced  to 
read  one  of  "  our  books  "  on  electricity  became  so  interested 
that  he  returned  for  another,  and,  as  there  happened  to  be 
three  books  on  electricity  in  that  collection,  he  took  them 
all  in  turn  and  then  begged  his  father  to  send  him  away  to 
school.  The  father  did  so  and  the  young  man  is  doing  well 
now  in  the  electrical  business  in  one  of  the  larger  towns  of 
the  county.  Even  one  such  case  is  well  worth  the  labor 
expended,  and  since  this  incident  is  only  one  of  many  the 
value  of  the  work  can  be  more  truly  estimated.  If  by  reason 
of  inspiring  books  the  young  people  of  the  country  districts 
arrive  at  a  knowledge  of  the  true  values  of  life,  and  if,  by 
timely  books,  they  are  led  to  know  for  what  they  are  best 
adapted,  the  library  has  fulfilled  its  mission. 

It  is  the  aim  of  the  county  library  to  aid  those  living  in 
the  country  to  appreciate  the  wonderful  opportunities  for 
pleasure  and  profit  that  lie  within  the  "  Home  Acre  "  or  the 
"  Home  Ten  Acres  "  or  the  "  Home  Farm."  The  time  has 
arrived  when  farming  is  looked  upon  as  a  science  and  when 
the  raising  of  farm  standards  will  help  solve  many  of  the 
problems  of  the  day.  However,  all  young  men  in  the  coun- 
try are  not  fitted  for  farming  any  more  than  all  ministers' 
sons  are  fitted  to  become  ministers.  It  is  said  of  a  certain 
man  that  he  spoiled  a  good  preacher  to  become  a  poor  busi- 
ness man.  In  the  above  incident  the  boy  whose  bent  was 
electricity  "  found  himself  "  through  a  library  book. 

The  policy  of  the  library  has  always  been  not  so  much  to 
make  records  in  circulation  as  to  place  books  where  they 
will  do  the  most  good.  In  view  of  this,  the  Board  have  not 
yet  seen  fit  to  change  from  a  unifonn  remuneration  of  the 
branch  librarians  to  a  sliding  scale  of  remuneration  based 
on  circulation.  It  is  not  their  desire  to  place  a  premium  on 
circulation  so  much  as  to  place  a  premium  on  helpful  service. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  141 

In  the  management  of  the  county  work  existing  conditions 
determine  the  best  poHcy  to  pursue.  Future  conditions  may 
result  in  changes  along  various  lines. 

The  branch  at  Hutchinson,  Union  Township,  was  estab- 
lished December  31,  1901,  in  the  general  store  of  C.  L. 
Gordon.  This  is  a  trading-center,  eight  miles  northwest  of 
Van  Wert,  and  is  reached  only  by  wagon  road.  The  branch 
was  maintained  until  August  I,  1 909,  when  it  was  closed, 
other  branches  having  been  placed  in  the  vicinity. 

During  this  first  year,  as  the  number  of  branches 
increased,  with  numerous  requests  being  made  for  others,  it 
became  evident  that  to  avoid  confusion  some  system  must 
be  devised  to  carry  on  the  county  work  successfully.  One 
thousand  books  were  purchased  for  the  branch  libraries' 
department.  Owing  to  the  pressure  of  work  on  all  sides 
nothing  more  than  necessary  was  done  to  these  books.  They 
were  collated,  pocketed,  accessioned,  and  stamped  with  their 
accession  numbers,  and  were  then  sent  out  in  lots  of  a  hun- 
dred to  each  station. 

According  to  the  first  plan  each  station,  after  keeping 
its  100  books  two  months,  was  to  send  them  on  to  one  of 
the  other  stations,  at  the  same  time  receiving  a  second  100 
books  from  one  of  its  neighbors  to  take  their  place.  The 
books  would  thus  pass  from  station  to  station  until  each 
branch  had  had  the  thousand  books,  when  they  would  be 
returned  to  the  central  library,  and  there  shelf -listed,  cata- 
logued and  placed  on  the  shelves.  In  the  meantime  another 
thousand  or  more  would  be  purchased  and  made  ready  to 
repeat  the  experiment  of  the  first  thousand.  Fortunately 
the  unwisdom  of  this  rotation  plan  was  discovered  before 
it  was  put  into  practice.  Unwise,  because  of  possible  fail- 
ures on  the  part  of  inexi)erienced  branch  librarians  to  make 
the  exchange  of  boxes  of  books  on  schedule  time ;  because 
of  the  impossibility  of  getting  proper  statistics,  since  there 
would  be  no  one  to  look  after  the  repair  of  the  books  and 


142  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

to  see  that  each  book  was  forwarded  with  its  collection ;  and 
because  of  the  length  of  time  (two  months  at  each  station 
would  be  one  year  and  eight  months)  that  the  books  would 
be  removed  from  the  supervision  and  inspection  of  the 
central  library,  which  might  result  in  the  loss  of  books  and 
general  confusion. 

The  plan  adopted  was  that  of  having  each  branch  librarian 
return  his  collection  to  the  central  library,  whence  it  was 
sent  on  to  its  next  place  as  scheduled.* 

Since  it  required  much  thought,  effort  and  time  to  get 
the  library  as  a  whole  in  running  order,  extension  work 
could  not  be  given  the  desired  attention  the  first  year.  How- 
ever, a  good  beginning  had  been  made,  2,800  volumes  having 
been  sent  to  the  nine  branches  established  during  the  year : 
400  books  to  each  of  the  four  branches  —  Willshire,  Con- 
voy, Delphos  and  Cavett ;  300  to  each  of  the  three  branches 
—  Middlepoint,  Ohio  City  and  Venedocia ;  200  to  Dasie, 
and  100  to  Hutchinson.  Unfortunately  no  statistics  of  the 
circulation  through  the  branches  could  be  gathered  the  first 
year,  but  the  keeping  of  records  and  the  sending  of  monthly 
reports  of  their  work  to  the  central  library  have  been 
required  of  the  branch  librarians  ever  since. 

In  considering  what  was  done  or  left  undone,  it  must  be 
remembered  that  there  was  as  yet  a  very  small  library  of 
books  to  serve  a  large  constituency.  The  following  quo- 
tations from  the  Van  Wert  papers  give  an  idea  as  to  the 
attitude  of  the  home  people  toward  the  library  after  its  first 
year  of  operation. 

One  year  ago  yesterday.  Van  Wert  County's  temple  of 
knowledge  —  the  Brumback  County  Library — for  the  first 
time  opened  its  doors  to  the  public.  True  it  seems  but  yester- 
day that  we  stood  in  the  throng  of  happy,  grateful  people,  who 
had  gathered  to  help  dedicate  the  library,  the  pride  of  every 
citizen  of  the  county ;  yet  since  that  time  who  can  estimate  the 
work  done  and  the  good  accomplished?    The  more  we  review 

♦This  plan  is  given  in  detail,  see  pp.  169-181. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  143 

the  achievements  of  the  past  twelve  months  the  harder  seems 
the  task  of  giving  the  institution  due  credit  for  what  it  has 
done. 

When  the  doors  of  the  library  opened  a  year  ago,  there  were 
4,500  books  on  the  shelves.  During  the  year  2,250  books  have 
been  added,  making  a  total  of  6,750  books  in  the  library  at  the 
present  time.  Pretty  good  library,  is  it  not  ?  Better  still,  it  is 
accessible  to  every  boy  and  girl  in  the  county,  rich  and  poor. 
In  the  central  library  the  average  circulation  for  the  past 
month  has  been  one  hundred  and  seven  a  day.  Saturday  is 
always  a  banner  day,  as  many  of  the  farmers  of  the  surround- 
ing country  come  in  on  that  day  for  their  books.  The  records 
for  the  past  two  Saturdays  of  books  taken  or  exchanged  are 
217  and  220  respectively.  We  cannot  enter  into  the  many 
pleasant  features  of  the  past  year's  work,  but  will  give  one 
incident  to  show  that  after  all  much  depends  on  the  men  and 
women  of  the  community  surrounding  the  sub-stations  as  to 
the  demand  for  books  and  the  class  of  books  read.  At  Ohio 
City  it  has  been  observed  for  some  time  that  the  greatest 
demand  was  for  juvenile  books  of  the  highest  character. 
Nothing  but  the  very  best  literature  was  wanted.  The  secret 
of  this  was  learned  when  it  was  ascertained  that  one  of  the 
lady  teachers  in  the  public  schools  of  that  town  had  organized 
a  society  consisting  mainly  of  the  members  of  her  class  and 
that  they  had  taken  a  pledge,  one  requirement  of  which  was  to 
read  only  the  best  books.  Thus,  her  influence  on  the  minds  of 
the  children  under  her  care  was  great.  This  is  an  example 
that  should  be  followed  by  every  parent  and  teacher  in  the 
county. —  Van  Wert  Republican,  January,  1902. 

The  first  annual  report  of  the  Bnimback  Library  has  been 
published  and  carefully  read  by  the  thoughtful  citizens  of  Van 
Wert  County.  The  showing  it  makes  is  pleasing  to  every  per- 
son who  is  interested  in  the  educational  and  literary  advance- 
ment of  the  people  and  justifies  the  strong  stand  the  friends  of 
the  library  have  taken  in  favor  of  a  liberal,  substantial  pro- 
vision for  its  support  and  rewards  them  for  the  work  they 
have  voluntarily  done,  without  pecuniary  return,  for  its  suc- 
cess. It  is  the  first  county  library  in  the  United  States,  and 
where  there  was  a  division  of  opinion  before  the  experiment 
was  tried,  all  agree  now  that  John  Sanford  Brumback  was 
wiser  than  he  knew  when  he  donated  this  magnificent  gift  to 


144  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

the  citizens  of  Van  Wert  County.  Thousands  of  books  have 
been  circulated,  free  of  cost  to  the  patrons.  The  Brumback 
Library  is  no  longer  an  experiment.  Its  possibilities  are  almost 
without  limit. —  Van  Wert  Times,  January,  1902. 

The  first  year  of  the  Brumback  Public  Library  has  endeared 
it  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.  One  year  ago  today  a  gift  of 
a  public-spirited  citizen,  an  institution  rich  in  educational 
advantages,  was  dedicated  to  Van  Wert  County.  The  record 
of  the  first  year  of  the  operation  of  the  Brumback  Library 
and  its  branches  is  a  compliment  to  both  its  donor  and  the 
people  upon  whom  it  was  bestowed.  John  S.  Brumback's 
highest  expectations  have  been  fulfilled.  The  library,  popular 
with  the  masses,  the  pride  of  the  town  and  county,  is  gradually 
growing  in  favor  with  the  few  who  opposed  the  plan  adopted 
for  its  maintenance. —  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  January,  1902. 

To  quote  again  from  Mr.  C.  B.  Galbreath : 

.  .  .  Ohio  has  recently  contributed  to  the  library  cause 
some  features  that  are  unique,  original  and  worthy  of  imitation. 
The  county  library  .  .  .  has  become  a  reality.  The  plan  is 
on  trial  and  reference  to  the  sketches  of  the  Cincinnati  Public 
Library  and  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County  can- 
not fail  to  convince  the  reader  that  the  plan  is  a  demonstrated 
success  and  inspire  the  hope  that  an  important  step  has  been 
taken  toward  the  solution  of  the  library  problem.  It  is  encour- 
aging, in  this  connection,  to  note  that  very  recently  a  county 
library  law,  including  among  its  provisions  practically  all  of 
the  features  of  the  act  which  made  the  Brumback  Library 
possible,  has  been  enacted  in  one  of  our  most  progressive  states. 
[Reference  is  made  to  Wisconsin].  Someone  has  said  that 
in  educational  matters  Ohio  is  a  good  follower.  In  the  county 
library  movement  she  bids  fair  to  lead.* 

On  January  16,  1901,  an  article  by  E.  I.  Antrim,  entitled 
"  Library  Privileges  for  Rural  Districts,"  appeared  in  The 
Dial,  of  Chicago.  Another  article  by  the  same  author, 
entitled  "  Latest  Stage  in  Library  Development,"  appeared 
in  the  New  York  Forum,  of  May,  1901.  This  last  article, 
which  told  of  the  work  and  ideals  of  the  Brumback  Library 

♦"Sketches  of  Ohio  Libraries,"  C.  B.  Galbreath. 


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THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  145 

of  Van  Wert  County,  was  quoted  at  some  length  in  the 
'Literary  Digest  of  June  8,  1901 ;  in  the  Minneapolis  Times, 
of  May  14,  1 901 ;  in  the  Racine  (Wisconsin)  Times,  of 
May  15,  1 901,  and  in  the  Commoner,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska, 
of  June,  1 901.  These  and  other  references  indicate  that  the 
idea  of  a  movement  for  making  "  life  on  the  farm  happier, 
better  and  sweeter,"  thereby  counteracting  the  migration 
from  country  to  city,  was  fast  taking  root  in  the  popular 
mind.  In  this  connection  it  is  interesting  to  add  that 
Wisconsin  passed  a  county  library  law  in  1901,  Minnesota 
in  1905,  and  Nebraska  in  191 1.  The  following  article 
appeared  in  the  Minneapolis  Times  and  the  Racine  Times. 

In  the  last  Forum  there  is  an  account  of  a  new  develop- 
ment in  the  library  system  which  suggests  a  possibility  for 
farm  life.  A  good  many  years  ago  New  York  started  the 
old  district  school  libraries,  which  had  a  few  of  the  same 
features  as  this  method,  but  in  a  crude  and  unsystematic  way. 
The  old  way  left  too  much  to  the  individual;  but  the  Brum- 
back  Library  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  takes  its  books 
almost  to  the  farm  itself. 

The  especial  fitness  of  such  a  system  either  to  a  semi-rural 
community  or  to  the  more  widely  scattered  farming  com- 
munities of  the  west  is  easily  seen.  By  care  in  the  selection 
of  books  for  the  particular  needs  and  conditions  of  the  local- 
ity, such  a  library  cannot  only  promote  intellectual,  but  social 
and  business  interests.  It  has  a  power  of  adaptability  about 
it  which  makes  it  flexible  to  the  general  tastes  of  the  sur- 
rounding population.  With  telephones,  trolley  lines,  free  pos- 
tal delivery  and  a  circulating  library,  of  which  it  practically 
dictates  the  management,  the  farming  community  has  the 
world  for  its  neighbor. 

1902 

The  branch  libraries  as  located  in  1901  were  fairly  well 
distributed  over  the  county  except  in  the  northeastern  part. 
Hence,  steps  were  at  once  taken  with  the  opening  of  the 
new  year  to  care  for  this  territory.     Accordingly,  January 


146  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

8,  1902,  a  branch  was  established  in  Jackson  Township  at 
the  office  of  Dr.  John  Wolfe,  of  Wetsel,  a  trading-center 
located  fourteen  miles  northeast  of  Van  Wert.  Books  were 
taken  to  and  from  the  station  in  a  covered  wagon  by 
the  proprietor  of  a  neighboring  general  store,  who  makes 
frequent  trips  to  Van  Wert  for  merchandise  and  who  is  paid 
one  dollar  and  a  half  a  round  trip  for  the  transportation  of 
the  boxes  of  books.  When  Dr.  Wolfe  moved  away  in  1909, 
the  branch  was  transferred  to  a  general  store,  where  it  is 
now  in  charge  of  the  proprietor,  C,  Ditto. 

A  branch  was  located  at  Glenmore,  Willshire  Township, 
July  25,  1902,  in  the  store  of  L.  S.  Cully,  with  James  R. 
Conn  in  charge.  Glenmore  is  a  small  trading-center  through 
which  passes  the  Erie  Railroad,  and  is  located  ten  miles 
southwest  of  Van  Wert.  In  191 1,  C.  F.  Germann  became 
proprietor  of  the  store  and  is  an  excellent  branch  librarian. 

In  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  county,  in  Jennings 
Township,  at  the  intersection  of  six  wagon  roads,  is  a  small 
trading-center  called  Converse,  also  known  as  Five  Points. 
There  is  one  store  here  called  the  Farmers'  Grocery.  This 
was  deemed  a  good  distributing  point;  therefore,  August 
12,  1902,  a  branch  was  placed  in  this  store  in  charge  of  the 
proprietor,  R.  W.  Hance,  and  has  remained  in  his  care  to 
date.  Converse  is  sixteen  miles  from  Van  Wert  by  wagon 
road.  Books  are  sent  to  the  station  via  the  Erie  Railroad 
to  Elgin,  three  miles  distant,  whence  they  are  hauled  to  and 
fro  by  wagon. 

In  February,  1902,  the  Board  planned  to  have  the  branch 
librarians  meet  with  the  library  board  and  staff  at  the  cen- 
tral library  to  discuss  matters  pertaining  to  the  work  of  the 
branches.  But,  owing  to  the  fact  that  this  is  a  busy  time 
of  the  year,  the  meeting  was  postponed  to  a  later  date. 
Branch  librarians  were  urged  to  keep  during  this  year  sta- 
tistics of  circulation,  yet  the  end  of  the  year  revealed  the 
regrettable  fact  that  complete  records  of  the  branch  circula- 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  147 

tion  had  not  been  kept.  This  was  due  to  several  causes: 
the  inexperience  of  those  in  charge  of  the  stations ;  the  press 
of  work  at  the  central  library,  which  prevented  many  visits 
to  the  branches;  and  the  difficulty  of  explaining  by  letter 
just  what  was  desired.  It  may  have  been  due,  too,  in  a  large 
measure,  to  the  inadequate  methods  used  by  the  branch 
librarians  in  keeping  their  records.  The  following  year 
special  book  cards  were  provided  for  the  purpose,  which 
simplified  the  work  and  from  which  the  record  of  the  cir- 
culation of  the  branches  can  be  easily  gathered.  These 
cards  also  enable  the  county  assistant  to  know  the  classes 
of  books  circulated. 

Owing  to  the  growing  needs  and  demands  of  the 
branches,  an  assistant.  Miss  Zora  Smith,  was  placed  at  the 
head  of  this  work,  which  now  assumed  the  dignity  of  a  sep- 
arate department.  Fifteen  hundred  new  books  purchased 
for  the  branches  were  being  made  ready  to  replace  those  in 
the  county  when  the  latter  should  finally  be  returned  to 
the  central  library.  This  time  a  separate  shelf  list  of  the 
books  was  prepared,  to  be  consulted  for  information  con- 
cerning the  books  in  the  county.  Besides,  an  additional  small 
collection  was  set  aside  as  "  county  reserve  books,"  to  be 
drawn  upon  in  replacing  books  of  the  county  collections  sent 
to  the  bindery  or  books  which  occasionally  fail  to  come  in 
with  the  collections.  A  schedule  of  dates  for  the  exchange 
of  the  collections  was  sent  to  each  of  the  branches  and  there- 
after a  box  of  books  remained  at  each  station  three  instead 
of  two  months.  The  task  of  the  second  year  consisted 
largely  in  placing  on  a  more  systematic  basis  the  work  begun 
in  the  first  year.  It  remained  for  the  third  year  to  see  some 
special  efifort  made  for  the  welfare  of  the  branches  and  the 
encouragement  of  their  growth. 

The  librarian.  Miss  Ella  Smith,  in  her  second  annual 
report  says :  "  Two  years  is  a  very  brief  space  of  time  in 
the  life  of  a  public  institution.     The  library  has  not  yet 


148  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

passed  its  formative  stage  and  to  those  who  view  its  work- 
ings from  without  there  must  appear  imperfections  in  its 
methods  of  operation.  Only  those  who  see  from  within 
can  know  of  the  difficulties  met  and  overcome,  of  the  prob- 
lems solved  and  of  the  many  more  yet  awaiting  solution." 

1903 

In  the  beginning  of  the  third  year  a  request  of  long  stand- 
ing from  Scott  for  a  branch  library  was  granted.  Action 
had  been  delayed  owing  to  the  close  proximity  of  the 
Cavett  branch,  which  is  less  than  three  miles  from  Scott, 
and  because  half  of  Scott  lies  in  Paulding  County.  Febru- 
ary 10,  1903,  a  branch  was  located  in  the  Fasig  drug  store 
of  Scott,  with  Mrs.  Alice  Reeb  as  the  very  efficient  cus- 
todian. If  a  branch  librarian  is  sufficiently  interested  to  do 
some  personal  work  in  connection  with  the  duties  attendant 
upon  the  care  of  the  books,  his  or  her  efforts  meet  with 
ready  response  and  pleasing  results.  The  wave  line  of 
progress  at  a  branch  flows  up  or  down  in  accordance  with 
the  interest  or  neglect  of  the  branch  librarian  in  charge. 
The  work  done  at  Scott  has  been  of  a  high  character.  It 
is  located  in  Union  Township,  about  eight  miles  north  of 
Van  Wert,  on  the  Cincinnati  Northern  Railroad,  and  has 
a  population  of  472,  of  whom  279  are  in  Van  Wert  County. 
The  branch  today  is  under  the  interested  supervision  of 
W.  F.  Leidy,  who  purchased  the  drug  store  and  became 
branch  librarian  in  1909. 

February  13,  1903,  Dixon,  located  in  Tully  Township, 
on  the  Ohio-Indiana  state  line,  received  a  branch  library, 
which  was  placed  in  the  general  store  of  Charles  Hoeken, 
who  also  has  the  post  office.  Dixon  is  fourteen  miles  west 
of  Van  Wert  on  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  and  the  Ohio 
Electric  Traction  Line  and  is  an  unincorporated  village.  A 
branch  is  desirable  at  this  point  to  permit  of  books  being 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  149 

made  accessible  to  the  residents  of  the  western  border  of 
the  county. 

A  branch  was  estabHshed  at  Wren,  Wiltshire  Township, 
February  13,  1903,  in  the  Swoveland  drug  store,  with  Mrs. 
Alice  Swoveland  acting  as  librarian.  A  fire  at  this  location 
necessitated  the  removal  of  the  branch  to  the  telephone 
exchange  in  an  upstairs  room.  Owing  to  the  inconvenience 
of  this  new  location,  recently  another  change  was  made,  by 
which  the  books  were  placed  in  the  general  store  of  Dudley 
and  Dull,  with  Mrs.  Dull  as  the  branch  librarian.  With  a 
population  of  2yy  Wren  promises  to  be  one  of  the  leading 
county  library  stations.  It  is  situated  on  the  C.  &  E.  Rail- 
road and  is  fourteen  miles  from  Van  Wert. 

To  facilitate  and  make  clear  the  work  of  the  branches, 
about  this  time  rules  governing  the  branch  librarians  and  for 
the  guidance  of  those  using  the  branches  were  prepared  and 
distributed.*  With  the  idea,  too,  of  giving  to  the  people 
in  the  rural  communities  as  well  as  to  the  residents  of  the 
towns  a  better  knowledge  of  the  varied  resources  of  the 
library,  lists  of  books  on  special  subjects  were  widely  scat- 
tered. For  example,  lists  of  books  on  agricultural  subjects 
were  sent  to  farmers'  institutes.  In  some  instances  the 
books  themselves  were  sent  for  review  by  those  present. 

Besides  the  regular  collections  sent  to  the  stations  every 
three  months,  it  was  found  necessary  in  some  cases  to  send 
additional  volumes  in  order  adequately  to  meet  the  demands 
of  the  borrowers.  Furthermore,  some  requests  now  for  the 
first  time  began  to  come  in  from  the  branches  for  special 
books  for  the  use  of  literary  clubs,  and  were  in  all  cases 
complied  with  by  the  librarian  to  the  best  of  her  ability. 
The  close  of  the  third  year  found  "  all  departments  of  the 
library  well  organized,  and  it  would  seem  that  it  is  now 
ready  to  enter  upon  a  career  of  greater  usefulness  and  wider 
influence  than  has  hitherto  been  possible." 

♦  See  p.  17a 


150  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

1904 

The  last  of  the  sixteen  branches  to  be  estabHshed  was 
that  at  Elgin,  situated  on  the  Erie  Railroad  and  about  four- 
teen miles  southeast  of  Van  Wert.  Elgin  is  in  York  Town- 
ship and  has  a  population  of  129.  On  October  10,  1904, 
books  were  placed  in  the  office  of  Eh".  A.  Pf eiffer  and  cared 
for  by  Mrs.  Pfeiffer,  who  succeeded  in  interesting  a  number 
of  young  people  of  the  community  in  the  formation  of  a 
reading  club.  This  being  the  time  of  the  Russo-Japanese 
War,  when  Japan  more  than  ever  before  in  its  history 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  world,  bright  and  readable 
books  about  the  Japanese  people  and  nation  were  sent  from 
the  central  library  to  Elgin  for  this  club.  The  Elgin  branch 
has  been  subject  to  many  changes  of  location  and  librarians. 
It  is  now  in  charge  of  C.  L.  Clantz,  who  recently  became  the 
proprietor  of  the  store  where  the  branch  is  located. 

Another  evidence  of  the  general  interest  taken  in  the 
county  work  was  the  fact  that  several  of  the  county  papers 
in  the  towns  having  branches  published  free  of  charge  the 
lists  of  books  received  at  their  stations,  which  especially 
led  the  children  in  the  country  and  county  towns  to  make 
good  use  of  the  books,  a  gratifying  fact,  as  the  best  of 
juvenile  books  were  included  in  the  collections  sent  to  the 
branches. 

The  routine  work  of  the  branches  was  now  moving  along 
more  smoothly.  Those  in  charge  began  better  to  understand 
what  was  expected  of  them  and  to  realize  the  impor- 
tance of  seemingly  insignificant  details;  records  of  circula- 
tion were  more  systematically  reported ;  the  boxes  of  books 
were  returned  more  promptly,  and,  with  the  exception  of 
general  wear  and  tear,  naturally  to  be  expected,  they  came 
from  the  branches  in  good  condition.  There  still  remained 
some  difficulty,  however,  in  getting  the  branch  librarians  to 
return  all  books  in  the  boxes  to  which  they  belonged;  and 
to  send  in  belated  books  at  the  expense  of  the  borrowers. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  151 

This  last  rule  was  disregarded  by  them  in  the  beginning, 
perhaps  wisely,  lest  its  strict  enforcement  might  lose  the 
library  some  friends.  In  later  years  these  difficulties  have 
been  reduced  to  a  minimum. 

Almost  daily  new  names  from  all  parts  of  the  county 
were  added  to  the  list  of  borrowers,  many  of  whom  a  year 
previously  scarcely  knew  of  the  existence  of  the  library, 
but  now  became  its  most  interested  patrons.  The  annual 
report  at  the  end  of  the  fourth  year  says :  "  With  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  constantly  increasing  interest  in  the  library 
everywhere  manifest,  we  can  confidently  assert  that  the 
comity  library  is  no  longer  an  experiment  in  this  county, 
but  an  undoubted  success,  an  institution  resting  upon  the 
firm  foundation  of  proved  usefulness  and  of  general 
approval,  strong  in  the  earnest  and  enthusiastic  support  of 
the  intelligent  citizenship  of  the  county." 

1906 
In  1906  another  lot  of  2,000  books  was  purchased  for  the 
branches.  Since  the  selection  of  these  was  based  largely 
on  the  A.  L.  A.  catalogue,  sixteen  copies  of  the  catalogue 
were  bought  to  serve  as  finding-lists,  one  for  each  station. 
The  need  of  a  dictionary  card  catalogue  of  the  books  in 
the  county  collections  had  been  felt  so  frequently  at  the  cen- 
tral library  that  such  a  catalogue  was  prepared  for  the  new 
books  bought  to  replace  those  which  had  been  in  circulation 
at  the  branches  for  three  years.  Whatever  books  of  these 
old  collections  were  fit  were  repaired,  rebound,  catalogued 
and  placed  upon  the  shelves  at  the  central  library.  A  letter 
to  each  branch  librarian  was  sent  in  advance  of  the  boxes 
calling  attention  to  the  new  books  and  asking  him  to  inter- 
est his  patrons  and  friends  in  the  books. 

1907 

The  work  of  the  Brumback  Library  was  assuming  greater 
significance   each   year.      The   Board   were   engrossed    in 


152  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

planning  to  make  it  successful  in  reaching  the  people  of  the 
entire  county,  in  solving  the  problems  which  often  unex- 
pectedly presented  themselves,  and  in  overcoming  obstacles 
as  they  arose.  They  were  engaged  in  the  work  of  proving 
to  Van  Wert  County  as  a  whole  that  the  Brumback  Library 
could  and  should  be  of  value  to  the  entire  county,  rural  as 
well  as  municipal.  They  had  not  stopped  to  think  much 
about  the  fact  that  the  experiment  was  being  watched  by 
others  outside  of  the  county,  although  frequent  requests 
for  information  concerning  the  methods  employed  had  been 
received  from  the  beginning  of  the  library.  As  these  grew 
more  numerous  it  became  very  evident  that  the  county 
library  idea  was  attracting  considerable  outside  attention. 
In  a  book  *  of  47  small  type  pages  almost  a  page  is  devoted 
to  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County  and  the  pos- 
sibilities of  the  county  library  movement  in  the  United 
States.  The  author  says,  "  die  grosse  Bedeutung  der  Ein- 
richtung  fiir  die  Zukunft,  da  an  ihrer  Entwicklungsfahig- 
keit  nicht  zu  zweifeln  ist,  kann  nicht  hoch  genug  ange- 
schlagen  werden."  f 

The  Ohio  State  Library  Bulletin  for  April,  1907,  has  the 
following  to  say  regarding  the  county  library :  "  The  system 
is  ideal  with  the  central  library  at  the  county-seat  and  sta- 
tions for  the  delivery  of  books  at  convenient  points  of 
access  in  the  rural  districts.  The  people  of  the  entire 
county  can  have  the  uplifting  influence  that  springs  from  the 
companionship  of  books.  This  ideal  system  is  practical  as 
well.  It  has  been  tested  in  the  counties  of  Van  Wert  and 
Hamilton  of  this  state  and  in  both  it  has  been  most  popular." 

1908 

The  new  feature  of  circulating  current  periodicals  through 
the  branches  was  introduced  in  1908.    Duplicate  periodicals 

♦ "  Amerikanische  Biblioteken  und  ihre  Bestrebungen,"  1905,  Dr.  A. 
B.  Meyer,  Dresden,  Germany. 

fThe  great  significance  of  the  county  library  system  for  the 
future,  regarding  whose  possibilities  for  development  there  is  no 
doubt,  cannot  be  estimated  too  highly. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  153 

were  subscribed  for  by  the  central  library  and  some  of  the 
current  magazine  numbers  were  sent  in  each  box  to  the 
stations  to  be  circulated  the  same  as  books.  It  was  the 
endeavor  to  place  at  least  one  monthly  and  two  weekly 
periodicals  in  each  box.  This  was  continued  until  1910, 
when  another  plan  was  put  into  operation  as  follows :  Har- 
per's was  ordered  for  Delphos  and  for  Convoy,  Scribner's 
for  Ohio  City,  the  Century  for  Scott  and  St.  Nicholas  for 
Willshire.  These  were  ordered  sent  direct  from  the  pub- 
lisher to  the  stations.  Delphos  reported  the  circulation  of 
Harper's  magazine  to  be  148,  over  twelve  circulations  for 
each  issue.  At  the  present  time  the  Delphos  branch  is  sup- 
plied by  the  county  library  with  Harper's,  the  Century, 
Scribner's,  World's  Work  and  St.  Nicholas.  The  circula- 
tion of  the  periodicals  was  much  less  at  the  other  branches. 
But  it  must  be  remembered  in  this  connection  that  it  nat- 
urally takes  some  time  for  borrowers  at  the  branches  to 
become  aware  of  special  privileges.  The  custodians  are 
busy  men  and  neglect  to  remind  customers  of  new  features. 

In  1914,  a  different  plan  has  been  inaugurated.  Delphos 
still  receives  its  magazines  direct  from  the  publishers,  but  in 
all  other  cases  the  duplicate  copies  come  to  the  central  library, 
which  serves  as  the  magazine  clearing-house.  Each  of  the 
stations  for  which  magazines  have  been  ordered  still  con- 
tinues to  receive  all  the  numbers  of  its  particular  magazines. 
As  these  come  to  the  central  library  they  are  held  in  readi- 
ness to  be  sent  in  the  boxes  going  to  the  stations  for  which 
magazines  were  ordered.  The  back  numbers  returned  from 
the  branches  are  utilized  at  other  stations. 

To  quote  from  the  report  of  the  librarian  for  1908:  "  We 
are  glad  to  report  a  substantial  progress  in  the  work  as  a 
whole,  including  a  growing  recognition  on  the  part  of  the 
people  of  the  county  as  to  the  value  of  the  library  not  only 
as  a  means  of  recreation  and  general  culture,  but  as  one  of 
the  active  and  leading  educational  forces  of  the  county." 


154  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

1910 

An  innovation  in  19 10  was  that  of  a  library  exhibit  at  the 
county  fair  in  September,  Since  this  is  a  gathering  place  for 
people  from  all  parts  of  the  county  (the  attendance  on  the 
big  day  each  year,  weather  permitting,  is  equal  to  and 
often  greater  than  the  population  of  the  whole  county), 
it  affords  a  most  excellent  opportunity  for  advertising  the 
library.  A  small  space  in  the  school  exhibition  hall  was  set 
aside  as  library  headquarters  and  during  the  entire  week  of 
the  fair  some  member  of  the  library  staff  was  there  to  talk 
to  visitors  about  the  library  and  to  distribute  the  pamphlets, 
application  cards  and  book  lists,  which  were  kept  in  the 
booth.  While  this  first  experiment  was  on  a  small  scale  it 
was  productive  of  results  such  as  effective,  personal  work 
only  can  accomplish.  The  opportunities  offered  by  the 
library  to  one  and  all  were  discussed  and  any  misunder- 
standings as  to  its  purpose  and  scope  were  explained  away. 
The  oft  repeated  expression,  "  We  never  knew  that  before," 
indicated  the  need  of  this  method  of  library  advertising. 

It  was  in  19 10  that  the  new  method  of  renewing  four 
county  collections  each  year  instead  of  replacing  the  entire 
sixteen  collections  every  fourth  year  was  adopted.*  A 
rough  estimate  of  the  number  of  books  sent  to  the  county 
stations  and  county  schools  during  this  year  was  8,000 
books. 

In  July,  191  o,  the  branch  librarians  attended  a  meeting  in 
Van  Wert,  at  which  were  also  present  the  members  of  the 
board  and  the  library  staff.  A  dinner  at  the  hotel  was 
enjoyed,  after  which  there  was  an  informal  discussion  of 
the  work,  which  brought  out  from  the  branch  librarians 
many  interesting  facts  and  valuable  suggestions  as  to  ways 
in  which  the  central  library  might  prove  more  helpful  to  the 
county  stations.  While  the  attendance  was  smaller  than 
desired  the  value  of  the  meeting  was  unquestioned.  Largely 

*  See  p.  171. 


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LOCATION   OF 
CAVETT  BRANCH  LIBRARY.  INTERIOR 


L(JCAT10N   OF  DASIE   BRANCH    LIBRARY 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  155 

as  a  result  of  this  conference  annotated  lists  of  the  books  of 
the  boxes  of  the  sixteen  collections  were  printed  in  small 
pamphlet  form  and  sent  with  the  boxes  to  the  stations.  It 
was  hoped  that  these  lists,  which  gave  brief  synopses  of  the 
books'  contents  and  which  were  to  be  taken  to  the  homes 
of  borrowers  for  consultation,  would  be  another  step  toward 
better  service  for  rural  residents.  Increased  circulation 
from  the  stations  first  receiving  these  lists  and  reports  as  to 
their  use  were  a  sufficient  indication  of  their  value, 

1911 

Early  in  191 1  printed  cards  giving  the  location  of  the 
county  branch  stations  with  a  cordial  invitation  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  county  to  make  use  of  the  library's  resources  were 
framed  and  hung  in  the  railroad  stations,  hotels  and  other 
public  places. 

The  increasing  demands  made  upon  the  library  demon- 
strated that  the  time  and  thought  constantly  given  to  the 
county  work  with  the  idea  of  making  the  library  of  use  and 
accessible  to  the  entire  county  had  been  productive  of  good 
results.  Not  only  club  workers,  teachers,  ministers,  students 
and  business  men  of  the  county  were  familiar  with  the 
resources  of  the  library  at  their  command,  but  farmers  were 
coming  more  and  more  to  depend  on  its  collections  of  agri- 
cultural works,  many  of  them  too  expensive  for  individual 
purchase ;  such,  for  example,  as  Bailey's  "  Cyclopedia  of 
Agriculture,"  etc.,  which  could  be  consulted  not  only  in 
person  but  by  letter  of  inquiry  to  the  librarian.  Exhibits 
of  books  and  book  lists  on  related  subjects  were  often 
requested  for  com  shows,  poultry  shows,  farmers'  institutes, 
county  teachers'  institutes,  Sunday  school  conventions,  etc. 

On  some  occasions  of  this  kind  the  librarian  is  requested 
by  those  in  charge  to  give  talks  on  varied  subjects.  These 
talks  are  brief,  sometimes  calling  attention  to  the  library 
resources,  sometimes  considering  such  subjects  as  "  Reading 


156  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

in  the  Farm  Home,"  "  Right  Reading  for  Children," 
"  What  are  the  Best  Magazines,"  etc.  This  has  proved  very 
helpful,  enabling  the  librarian  to  know^  at  close  range  the 
people  of  the  county  and  tlieir  needs,  while  they  in  turn  are 
brought  into  closer  touch  with  the  library,  its  purposes  and 
aims.* 

Frequent  visits  by  the  librarian  or  trustees  to  the  county 
stations,  visits  by  the  librarian  and  assistants  to  the  schools, 
to  ministers  and  to  individuals  of  the  county  also  serve  to 
bring  about  a  closer  relationship  between  the  people  and 
the  library.  Furthermore,  an  effort  has  been  made  to  ren- 
der reference  service  at  long  range  to  county  residents.  The 
following  are  some  of  the  specific  questions  asked  and 
answered  by  letter :  Have  you  any  material  on  the  lighting 
of  country  school  houses?  Send  me  a  recent  book  on  the 
spraying  of  fruit  trees.  Have  you  any  printed  lists  of  books 
for  girls  from  ten  to  fourteen?  What  are  the  entrance 
requirements  for  the  State  University?  What  states  have 
woman's  suffrage?  Have  you  a  list  of  the  experiment  sta- 
tions of  the  United  States?  What  are  some  good  recent 
books  on  poultry?  What  is  the  best  edition  of  Shake- 
speare ?  What  is  the  population  of  Ohio  by  counties  ?  Send 
me  a  book  on  women's  colleges,  etc. 

This  year  the  library  made  an  extensive  exhibit  at  the 
county  fair.  A  large  tent  provided  for  the  purpose  by  the 
fair  and  library  boards  was  equipped  by  the  library  as  a 
reading  and  rest  room  for  the  visitors  from  all  parts  of  the 
county,  who,  spending  the  entire  day  on  the  grounds,  were 
glad  to  seek  an  occasional  bit  of  rest  and  quiet.  Some  of 
the  best  and  latest  books,  magazines  and  newspapers  were 

*  To  illustrate  the  value  of  personal  work  in  advancing  the  cause  of 
the  library,  one  of  the  trustees  a  few  months  ago  delivered  an  address 
at  a  Farmers'  Institute  held  at  Wetsel,  where  one  of  the  branches  is 
located.  In  his  address  he  spoke  of  the  library  and  urged  the  people  to 
avail  themselves  more  freely  of  its  resources.  As  a  result,  during  the 
month  following  his  address  the  circulation  of  the  branch  was  double 
that  of  the  preceding  month. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  157 

to  be  found  there.  Collections  of  recent  books  on  agricul- 
ture and  allied  subjects,  also  a  model  collection  of  chil- 
dren's books,  were  shown.  A  member  of  the  library  staff 
was  present  each  day. 

1912 

In  this  year  the  library  was  complimented  by  a  visit  from 
Mr.  Samuel  Ranck,  librarian  of  the  Grand  Rapids,  Michi- 
gan, library,  by  whom  a  very  comprehensive  and  readable 
article  *  on  "  Rural  Library  Extension  "  was  later  published. 
In  this  he  says : 

The  Brumback  Library  is  a  pioneer  in  being  started  as  a 
county  library.  Last  summer  I  had  the  pleasure  of  visiting 
the  Van  Wert  library  and  a  number  of  its  branches,  riding 
some  forty  miles  in  an  automobile  through  the  county  to  see 
them  and  to  get  pictures  for  some  slides  [to  be  used  in 
lecture  work].  Van  Wert  County  is  wholly  an  agricultural 
county.  .  .  .  The  teachers  and  country  people  come 
to  Van  Wert  to  do  their  shopping,  at  the  same  time  getting 
books  at  the  library  ...  In  conclusion  it  may  be  said 
with  reference  to  Van  Wert  County  that  although  it  is  a 
community  of  farmers  (many  of  them  Germans)  they  believe 
thoroughly  in  education.  .  .  .  Altogether  I  am  sure  Van 
Wert  is  a  splendid  model  to  follow  in  the  county  development 
of  rural  library  service. 

1913 

During  this  year  there  arose  a  knotty  problem  whose  solu- 
tion required  the  best  thought  of  all  those  interested  in  the 
welfare  of  the  library.  But  before  taking  up  this  problem, 
it  will  be  necessary  to  consider  several  matters  by  way  of 
introduction.  As  already  indicated,  Delphos,  a  city  of  5,038 
inhabitants,  lies  on  the  eastern  boundary  line  of  the  county, 
the  east  half  being  located  in  Allen  County  and  the  west 
half  in  Washington  Township,  Van  Wert  County.     Since 

* "  Rural  Library  Extension,"  December,  1912,  number  of  Michi- 
gan Libraries,  oflRcial  organ  of  the  State  Library  Commissioners. 


158  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

the  opening  of  the  Brumback  Library  a  branch  had  been 
maintained  in  Delphos  for  the  use  of  those  Hving  in  Van 
Wert  County.  The  Delphos  grade  schools  and  high  school 
being  located  in  Van  Wert  County  have  had  special  collec- 
tions in  their  class-rooms  from  the  main  library,  and  books 
have  frequently  been  sent  on  request  to  clubs,  pupils  and 
teachers  for  special  work.  In  addition  to  this,  many  of  the 
pupils  of  the  Delphos  high  school  have  visited  the  central 
library  to  use  its  reference  department  in  preparing  essays 
and  debates.  All  possible  assistance  has  been  accorded  them 
by  the  librarian  not  only  in  person  but  by  correspondence. 
The  Van  Wert  County  half  of  Delphos  is  by  far  the  largest 
town,  outside  of  Van  Wert  itself,  served  by  the  library,  and 
for  this  reason  their  special  needs  have  always  been  con- 
sidered as  fully  as  possible  in  all  the  work  and  especially  in 
the  supplementary  collections.  As  already  stated,  this 
branch  has  also  been  supplied  with  magazines.  But  the 
people  of  Delphos  living  on  the  Allen  County  side  unfortu- 
nately had  to  be  denied  the  use  of  the  branch  unless  they 
paid  three  dollars  a  year  each  for  the  privilege. 

It  is  therefore  not  surprising  that  there  arose  a  desire  for 
a  library  that  would  serve  the  interests  of  the  whole  city. 
Accordingly,  an  effort  was  made  to  secure  a  city  library, 
which  resulted  in  a  Carnegie  library  on  the  usual  terms. 
The  dedication  of  the  new  library  occurred  almost  simulta- 
neously with  the  resignation  of  the  branch  librarian  of  the 
Delphos  branch  of  the  Brumback  Library,  which  made  it 
necessary  for  the  county  library  trustees  to  secure  a  new 
branch  librarian.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  Del- 
phos with  this  purpose  in  view.  The  committee  went  to 
several  available  places  of  business,  also  to  the  new  library, 
which  commended  itself  to  them  as  the  logical  place  for  the 
branch  if  the  two  library  boards  could  agree  on  a  satis- 
factory arrangement  for  its  operation  in  the  Delphos  city 
library.     A  few  days  later,  January  21,   1913,  an  article 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  159 

appeared  in  the  Van  Wert  Bulletin,  which  had  been  copied 
from  the  Delphos  Herald,  from  which  is  quoted  the 
following : 

Since  the  local  people  on  the  west  side  of  Delphos  are 
helping  to  support  the  county  library  and  are  entitled  to  the 
privileges  of  a  branch  library,  why  would  it  not  be  a  good 
idea  to  have  the  books  placed  in  the  public  library  where 
they  would  be  easy  of  access  to  those  entitled  to  their  use, 
and  could  be  taken  care  of  by  the  city  librarian?  Delphos 
is  entitled  to  the  continuation  of  the  branch  library  so  long 
as  the  tax-payers  on  the  west  side  are  bearing  their  share  for 
its  maintenance,  and  it  will  be  necessary  to  have  a  place  for 
keeping  the  books,  pay  rent  for  same  and  engage  a  librarian 
to  distribute  them.  The  Delphos  public  library  is  a  new  insti- 
tution, and  the  trustees  are  finding  it  difficult  to  make  both 
ends  meet  with  the  allowance  in  their  hands,  many  expenses 
arising  from  the  opening  of  the  library.  If  the  branch  of  the 
Brumback  Library  could  be  placed  in  the  public  library  and 
the  amount  paid  for  rent  and  the  services  of  a  librarian  be 
given  to  this  new  institution,  it  would  assist  in  no  small 
measure  in  securing  the  necessary  amount  to  pay  the  expenses 
incurred.  If  this  arrangement  could  be  made  it  would  meet 
with  the  approval  of  the  users  of  the  branch  library  and  at 
the  same  time  be  a  benefit  to  the  local  institution.  No  doubt 
the  Van  Wert  County  library  trustees  will  grant  this  if  a 
request  is  made. 

At  their  meeting  on  January  2^,  191 3,  the  Brumback 
Library  Board  on  motion  indicated  their  willingness  to  place 
their  Delphos  branch  in  the  new  Delphos  library  for  those 
entitled  to  its  use.  Thereupon  the  Delphos  Board  sent  a 
committee  to  confer  with  the  Brumback  Library  Board. 
This  meeting  was  a  most  happy  one,  in  which  the  spirit  of 
cooperation  was  clearly  manifest.  The  advisability  of 
placing  the  county  branch  in  the  Delphos  library  hinged 
upon  the  question  of  whether  the  books  of  the  county  branch 
might  or  might  not  circulate  in  the  whole  of  Delphos.  It 
was  plainly  evident  to  both  boards  that  with  the  county 
branch  in  the  Delphos  library  restricted  to  half  of  Delphos, 


160  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

there  would  be  three  sets  of  borrowers  using  the  Delphos 
Hbrary:  first,  those  from  the  Allen  County  side  of  Del- 
phos, who  might  borrow  only  the  Delphos  library  books, 
and  not  the  Van  Wert  County  books ;  secondly,  those  from 
the  Van  Wert  County  side  of  Delphos  who  might  use  any 
of  the  books;  and  thirdly,  residents  of  Van  Wert  County 
outside  of  Delphos,  who  might  use  only  the  county  books. 
The  confusion  arising  from  this  restriction  of  privileges  in 
some  cases  and  double  privileges  in  others  would  naturally 
result  in  dissatisfaction  on  the  part  of  all  patrons  of  the 
library.  On  the  other  hand,  it  was  just  as  plainly  evident  to 
both  boards  that  the  Brumback  Library  Board  had  not  the 
right  to  furnish  library  service  free  to  the  residents  of  Allen 
County  for  which  the  residents  of  Van  Wert  County  were 
paying. 

As  a  result  of  earnest  thought  the  follovving  plan  was 
evolved.  The  privilege  of  using  the  books  of  the  county 
branch  was  extended  to  all  the  residents  of  Delphos  and,  in 
return  for  this,  all  residents  of  Washington  Township,  in 
addition  to  their  present  privileges,  w^ere  allowed  the  free 
use  of  the  Delphos  Library.  This  happy  arrangement  went 
into  effect  early  in  April,  191 3,  and  by  it  the  Delphos 
Library  and  the  Brumback  County  Library  are  of  mutual 
benefit.  Every  three  months  the  Delphos  Library  receives 
from  the  Brumback  Library  a  balanced  collection  of  200  or 
more  up-to-date  books.  Books  especially  requested  are 
included  whenever  possible.  The  magazines  subscribed  for 
the  county  branch  are  sent  to  the  Delphos  Library  or  such 
magazines  as  they  desire  at  a  cost  not  to  exceed  fifteen  dol- 
lars. The  $50  hitherto  paid  to  the  branch  librarian  is  paid 
to  the  Delphos  librarian  for  her  care  of  the  branch, 

A  great  part  of  the  Delphos  income  is  necessarily  needed 
for  maintenance  and  particularly  is  this  true  in  the  beginning. 
Hence  they  are  glad  to  get  the  books  from  the  county  library, 
since  the  changing  collections   provide  them  with   about 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  161 

i,QOO  volumes  of  up-to-date  books  of  all  classes  during  each 
year.  This  permits  them  to  use  their  limited  book  fund  for 
the  purchase  of  reference  works  and  other  books  so  essen- 
tial to  every  library  whether  large  or  small.  Nothing  in  the 
history  of  the  library  has  been  more  pleasing  than  this 
cooperation  of  the  two  library  boards,  as  it  shows  they  are 
working  for  the  general  good  and  not  for  library 
aggrandizement. 

During  the  summer  of  1913  the  circuit  of  all  the  sta- 
tions was  made  in  an  automobile.  The  chief  purpose  of  the 
jaunts  was  to  secure  exterior  and  interior  views  of  the 
branches.  The  local  color  was  carefully  preserved  in  these 
pictures  as  much  as  possible  and  since  the  reproductions  are 
given  in  this  book  they  may  speak  for  themselves.  One 
set  of  these  pictures  is  framed  and  on  display  at  the  central 
library;  another  set  is  used  for  exhibit  purposes;  and  a 
third  set  was  sent  to  the  branches,  each  branch  receiving  its 
own  pictures  framed  to  be  hung  over  its  bookcase. 

This  "  photo  campaign  "  was  the  occasion  of  much  enjoy- 
ment for  all  concerned  and  it  is  needless  to  say  that  all 
restraint  was  absent  on  these  jaunts,  since  the  slogan  was 
—  "  Look  pleasant,  please."  By  means  of  some  "  pointed 
suggestions  "  and  "  sharp  reminders  "  many  preconceived 
notions  with  respect  to  the  county  work  were  "  punctured," 
and  "  collapsed  "  as  did  one  of  the  well-inflated  tires  when 
it  ran  on  the  sharp  end  of  a  horse  shoe  nail  on  one  of  the 
return  trips. 

Before  forwarding  the  framed  pictures  to  the  stations 
they  were  used  in  the  library  exhibit  at  the  county  fair  in 
September,  1913.  The  following  account  of  the  fair 
exhibit  is  taken  from  the  librarian's  report: 

This  exhibit  occupied  a  space  8x10  feet.  It  was  fitted  up 
with  cases  of  books,  pertaining  mostly  to  agriculture  and 
housekeeping,  together  with  other  library  appurtenances.  On 
the   walls  was   displayed   the  collection   of   pictures   of   the 


162  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

library  branches  uniformly  framed  and  plainly  labeled  as  to 
the  names  of  the  several  communities.  These  attracted  many 
persons  who  were  pleased  to  see  pictures  of  places  and  people 
familiar  to  them.  In  addition  to  this  interesting  exhibit  in 
the  main  hall,  placards  calling  attention  to  the  library's  facil- 
ities for  helping  farmers  and  their  wives  were  placed  among 
the  various  exhibits  and  in  numerous  appropriate  places 
throughout  the  grounds,  where  they  would  readily  catch  the 
eye  and  attention  of  all  present.  These  cards,  9x24  inches, 
were  attractively  lettered  in  colors  by  a  sign  painter.  Just 
above  the  pen  containing  the  largest  hogs  at  the  fair,  a  place 
that  was  always  surrounded  by  interested  spectators,  was  a 
placard  reading: 

Your  Hogs  —  Are  they  fat  and  hungry  or  lean  and  overfed? 
See  Brumback  Library  Exhibit  —  A  book  on  Swine. 

In  the  fancy  work  display  was  a  card  reading:  Book  of 
Stitches  and  Home  Needle  Work  Magazine.  —  Ask  at  the  Brum- 
back Library  Exhibit.  [This  one  exhibit  alone  brought  numerous 
women  to  the  library  booth  to  see  the  books.] 

At  the  entrance  to  the  grandstand  there  was  one  reading :  Are 
your  boys  learning  to  farm?  The  Brumback  Library  has  books 
to  help  beginners. 

Other  placards  appropriately  placed  were  as  follows:  Do  you 
know  how  to  make  a  tile  drain?  Ask  for  book  telling  how  at  the 
Brumback  County  Library  Exhibit  in  Art  Hall. 

Is  your  farm  big  enough  or  too  big?  The  Brumback  Library 
has  books  on  such  subjects,  written  by  farm  experts. 

Does  Live  Stock  Pay?  Ask  at  the  Brumback  Library  Exhibit 
in  Art  Hall  for  "  Profitable  Stockraising." 

Do  you  know  what  your  corn  costs  per  acre?  See  the  agri- 
cultural books  at  the  Brumback  Library  Exhibit  in  Art  Hall. 

Have  you  read  up  on  alfalfa?  Ask  for  "  Book  of  Alfalfa"  at 
Brumback  Library  Exhibit  in  Art  Hall. 

Who  does  the  milking  ?  "  Farm  Dairying  "  is  a  good  book  for 
milk  men  and  milk  maids  to  read.    Brumback  Library  Exhibit. 

"  How  to  Keep  Hens  for  Profit."  Brumback  Library  Exhibit 
in  Art  Hall. 

Before  preserving  and  pickling  read  new  recipes.  The  Brum- 
back Library  has  cook  books. 

Does  housing  farm  machinery  pay?  Read  a  book  on  farm 
machinery,  Brumback  Library  Exhibit  in  Art  Hall. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  163 

From  an  article  in  the  Van  Wert  Times  (September  13, 
I9i3)>  entitled  "Banner  County  Fair  is  very  Successful," 
the  following  is  quoted : 

The  largest  and  most  successful  fair  ever  held  in  Van  Wert 
County  has  become  a  matter  of  history  and  the  Agricultural 
Society  as  well  as  the  residents  of  this  county  may  be  proud 
of  their  success.  For  many  years  it  has  been  conceded  that 
this  county  has  one  of  the  best  fairs  in  the  state,  ranking  per- 
haps third  *  in  the  matter  of  attendance  and  first  when  the 
quality  and  character  of  the  exhibits  are  considered.  At  least 
forty  thousand  people  were  on  the  grounds  Thursday.  The 
liberality  of  the  crowd  in  attendance  Thursday  can  be  gauged 
by  the  fact  that  investigation  showed  $4,163  spent  for  red 
lemonade,  hot  hamberger  and  other  fair  delicacies. 

The  Brumback  Library  had  one  of  the  most  attractive  dis- 
plays at  the  big  fair,  and  perhaps  the  one  which  carried  with 
it  a  greater  meaning  for  the  advancement  of  the  community 
than  any  of  the  creditable  showings  on  display.  The  institu- 
tion had  arranged  in  their  booth  in  the  Art  Hall  photographs 
of  the  interior  and  exterior  of  all  the  fifteen  stations  they  have 
in  the  county  and  impressed  the  visitor  very  strongly  with  the 
great  range  of  country  they  cover  and  the  large  number  of 
readers  they  reach,  far  more  than  any  other  library  in  the  state 
which  is  operated  as  a  city  library  in  any  of  the  small-sized 
county-seats.  At  all  the  displays  the  library  management  had 
posted  signs  calling  attention  to  the  fact  that  they  had  books 
on  various  topics.  At  the  poultry  tent  the  visitor  was  informed 
that  at  the  Brumback  Library  could  be  found  books  treating  on 
subjects  of  interest  to  poultry  fanciers,  while  at  the  Art  Hall, 
at  the  hog,  cattle  and  horse  displays  the  same  scheme  was 
carried  out.  By  this  it  was  hoped  to  bring  to  the  free  institu- 
tion as  many  different  kinds  of  readers  as  possible  and  to  im- 
press on  as  great  a  number  as  possible  the  fact  that  Van  Wert 
has  an  educational  institution  which  can  be  and  at  all  times  is 
ready  to  be  of  service  to  all  the  people  of  the  county. 

When  it  comes  to  giving  a  high  class  exhibition  in  every  par- 
ticular other  fairs  in  this  section  will  have  to  "go  some." 
A  visitor  remarked  while  on  the  ground  Friday,  "  Well,  if 

*  In  point  of  population  Van  Wert  County  is  fifty-first  of  the  eighty- 
eight  counties. 


164  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

that  isn't  the  limit  —  the  grind-organ  on  the  merry-go-round 
is  playing  grand  opera ;  "  and  it  was  a  fact,  Verdi's  music  was 
the  accompaniment  for  the  rotary  joy  riders. 

A  recent  article  *  by  Miss  Sarah  Comstock,  entitled 
"  Byways  of  Library  Work,"  says : 

The  remarkable  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County, 
Ohio,  resorts  to  most  ingenious  methods  to  reach  the  29,000 
people  who  are  scattered  over  423  [405]  square  miles  of  agri- 
cultural land.  It  does  not  rest  with  sending  books  to  its  fifteen 
county  stations  and  the  county  schools,  and  leaving  the  people 
to  read  or  not  as  they  like.  It  lays  traps  for  the  reader.  At 
the  Van  Wert  County  Fair,  in  September,  1913,  it  not  only 
presented  its  own  exhibit,  but  it  took  advantage  of  everybody 
else's  exhibit  to  call  attention  to  itself .... 

A  year's  circulation  of  31,815  [for  1911;  figures  for  1913 
are  35,897]  in  the  county  stations  and  schools  alone,  the  two 
rural  distributing  agencies,  says  much  for  the  value  of  up-to- 
date  commercial  methods  applied  to  literature. 

Some  of  the  pictures  of  the  branches  were  utilized  in  a 
library  bulletin  which  was  made  up  by  the  librarian  upon 
the  request  of  Mr.  J.  P.  Sharkey,  superintendent  of  the 
Van  Wert  city  schools,  to  accompany  the  local  school 
exhibit  to  the  State  Fair.  This  bulletin  was  made  use  of 
by  the  librarian  in  a  talk  given  by  her  in  the  round  table 
discussion  on  County  Libraries  at  the  Oberlin  meeting  of 
the  Ohio  Library  Association.  Again  it  was  used  by  a 
librarian  who  desired  to  show  it  to  her  trustees,  and  at  a 
street  fair,  with  the  hope  of  giving  an  impetus  to  the  county 
library  idea  fast  taking  root  in  her  county. 

Bulletin  material  and  pictures  representative  of  Van 
Wert  County  library  rural  extension  work  were  also  sent 
in  compliance  with  a  request  from  Mr.  Carl  Milam,  presi- 
dent of  the  League  of  Library  Commissioners,  to  be  used 
in  the  library  exhibit  of  the  National  Educational  Associa- 
tion at  Salt  Lake  City,  in  191 3. 

*  The  Outlook,  January  24,  1914. 


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LOCATION  OF  DIXON  BRANCH  LIBRARY 


LOCATION   OF   GLENAIORF  BRANCH    LIBRARY 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  165 

Because  of  the  surprisingly  great  number  of  automobiles 
owned  and  operated  in  this,  a  rural  county,  a  brief  list  of 
books  for  autoists  was  printed  and  distributed  in  the  county. 
Some  of  these  lists  were  sent  to  each  of  the  eleven  garages 
in  Van  Wert  County  with  a  note  asking  that  they  be 
placed  where  their  patrons  can  see  and  use  them.  This  met 
with  immediate  response  and  at  least  served  the  purpose  of 
apprising  many  people  that  the  library  has  books  of  inter- 
est for  all  needs. 

How  a  neighboring  county  regards  the  Brumback 
Library  and  its  work  is  shown  by  the  following.  A  resi- 
dent of  Paulding  County  recently  gave  the  librarian  $50 
with  which  to  purchase  books  for  a  district  school  library. 
He  was  neither  a  school  director  nor  a  school  trustee,  but 
was  interested  in  having  good  reading  and  wanted  the  best 
books  for  this  particular  school.  This  incident  indicates 
that  there  is  not  only  a  growing  demand  for  better  books  in 
rural  communities  but  a  desire  for  expert  advice  in  the 
selection  of  books.  The  Brumback  Library  learned  with 
pleasure  that  Paulding  County,  Van  Wert's  neighbor  on  the 
north,  was  trying  to  secure  a  county  library  and  gladly 
gave  any  desired  information  as  to  its  own  work.  The  fol- 
lowing article  appeared  in  the  Van  Wert  Times  of  June  14, 
19 1 3,  since  which  time  the  Paulding  County  Library  has 
become  an  assured  fact  and  is  the  first  county  library  estab- 
lished by  Mr.  Carnegie  in  Ohio. 

The  town  of  Paulding  was  rejoicing  Friday  night  over  the 
prospects  of  having  a  library  of  consequence  in  the  very  near 
future.  The  situation  in  the  town  to  the  north  has  been  very 
similar  to  the  one  existing  here  before  the  late  J.  S.  Brum- 
back made  possible  the  magnificent  institution  of  which  all 
local  citizens  are  justly  proud. 

For  some  time  the  library  association  at  Paulding,  which 
has  maintained  a  small  institution,  together  with  several  of  the 
leading  citizens,  have  had  a  movement  on  foot  to  secure  a 
Carnegie  building  for  their  county,  and  several  propositions 


166  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

were  considered.  The  announcement  Friday  evening  that  Mrs. 
A.  L.  Latty  would  donate  two  lots  in  the  business  section  of 
the  town,  valued  at  $2,500,  for  a  site,  makes  it  certain  that  the 
county  commissioners  will  provide  the  necessary  tax  levy,  so 
that  the  town  will  have  an  institution  for  the  use  and  receiving 
the  support  of  the  county.  It  is  the  plan  now  to  arrange  for  an 
income  of  $4,000  a  year  for  the  library  and  under  the  Carnegie 
offer  this  will  provide  for  the  county  a  $40,000  building. 

Van  Wert  citizens  are  in  a  position  to  speak  from  experience 
of  the  good  arising  from  institutions  of  this  kind  and  con- 
gratulate the  neighboring  town  upon  its  good  fortune. 

Mr.  Carnegie  gives  as  his  reasons  for  contributing  so 
magnificently  to  the  library  movement  the  following: 

I  choose  free  libraries  as  the  best  agencies  for  improving 
the  masses  of  the  people,  because  they  give  nothing  for  noth- 
ing. They  only  help  those  who  help  themselves.  They  never 
pauperize.  They  reach  the  aspiring,  and  open  to  these  the 
chief  treasures  of  the  world  —  those  stored  up  in  books.  A 
taste  for  read'ng  drives  out  lower  tastes.  Besides  this,  I 
believe  good  fiction  one  of  the  most  beneficial  reliefs  to  the 
monotonous  lives  of  the  poor.  For  these  and  other  reasons  I 
prefer  the  free  public  library  to  most  if  not  any  other  agencies 
for  the  happiness  and  improvement  of  a  community. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  books  in  one  of  the  present 
county  collections: 

PHILOSOPHY 

Ross,  E.  A.    Sin  and  society. 

Sangster,  Margaret.     Happy  school  days. 

RELIGION 

Stelzle,  Charles.    American  social  and  religious  conditions. 
Wilson,  W.  H.    Evolution  of  the  country  community. 

SOCIOLOGY 

Cocroft,  Susanna.     The  woman  worth  while. 
Dinsmore,  J.  W.    Teaching  a  district  school. 
Laselle  &  Wiley.    Vocations  for  girls. 
Wilson,  Woodrow.     The  new  freedom. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  167 


SCIENCE 

Bostock,  F.  C.    Training  wild  animals. 
Gibbs,  W.  E.    Lighting  by  acetylene. 
Turner,  C.  C.    Romance  of  aeronautics. 

USEFUL  ARTS 

Hunt,  T.  F.    The  young  farmer ;  some  things  he  should  know. 
Hutchinson,  Woods.    Common  diseases. 
Scott,  W.  R.    Americans  in  Panama. 
Sill,  E.  M.    The  child. 
Slauson,  H.  W.    Car  troubles. 

Smith,  W.  C.     How  to  grow  lOO  bushels  of  corn  per  acre  on 
worn  soil. 

FINE   ARTS 

Bevier,  Isabel.    The  house;  its  plan,  decoration  and  care. 
Hornaday,  W.  T.    Our  vanishing  wild  life. 

LITERATURE 

Bunyan,  John.    Pilgrim's  Progress. 

Matter,  John.    Three  farms. 

Rittenhouse,  J.  B.    The  younger  American  poets, 

TRAVEL 

Bostwick,  A.  E.    The  different  West. 
Carl,  K.  A.    With  the  Empress  Dowager. 
DeForest,  Katharine.     Paris  as  it  is. 
Spears,  J.  R.     Master  mariners. 
Tozier,  Josephine.    Among  English  inns. 

BIOGRAPHY 

Adams  &  Foster.    Heroines  of  modern  progress. 
Bevan,  W.  L.    The  world's  leading  conquerors. 
Home,  C.  S.    David  Livingstone. 
Hess,  George.     Leading  American  inventors. 
Trevelyan,  G.  M.     Garibaldi  and  the  Thousand. 
Wiggin,  Mrs.  K.  D.  S.    A  child's  journey  with  Dickens. 

HISTORY 

Headlam,  Cecil.     Story  of  Nuremberg. 

Rhodes,  J.  F.    Lectures  on  the  American  Civil  War. 


168  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Schafif,  Morris.    The  sunset  of  the  Confederacy. 
Young,  Alexander.     History  of  the  Netherlands. 

FICTION 

Aldrich,  T.  B.    Marjorie  Daw  and  other  stories. 

Allen,  Mrs.  F.  N.  S.    The  invaders. 

Barclay,  Mrs.  Hubert.    A  dream  of  blue  roses. 

Bentley,  E.  C.    The  woman  in  black. 

Bindloss,  Harold.    Ranching  for  Sylvia. 

Bordeaux,  Henry.    The  fear  of  living. 

Buckrose,  J.  E.    Love  in  a  little  town. 

Comfort,  W.  L.    Fate  knocks  at  the  door. 

Crichton,  F.  E.     Soundless  tide. 

Dickens,  Charles.     Old  curiosity  shop. 

Duncan,  Norman.     The  measure  of  a  man. 

Ferber,  Edna.     Roast-beef,  medium. 

Ford,  P.  L.    Wanted  —  A  chaperon. 

Fox,  John,  Jr.     Little  shepherd  of  Kingdom  Come. 

Gale,  Zona.    Mothers  to  men. 

Gerry,  M.  S.     Flowers. 

Gilson,  R.  R.     Katrina. 

Gordon,  C.  W.     The  doctor. 

Grimshaw,  Beatrice.    When  the  red  gods  call. 

Harrison,  H.  S.    V.  V.'s  eyes. 

Johnson,  Owen.     The  sixty-first  second. 

Marriott,  Crittenden.     Sally  Castleton. 

Maxwell,  W.  B.    General  Mallock's  shadow. 

Morris,  Gouverneur.     The  penalty. 

Munger,  D.  H.    The  wind  before  the  dawn. 

Richards,  Mrs.  L.  E.  H.     Miss  Jimmy. 

Rinehart,  Mrs.  M.  R.    The  case  of  Jennie  Brice. 

Scott,  Sir  Walter.    Quentin  Durward. 

Stevenson,  B.  E.     The  young  section  hand. 

Stewart,  C.  D.     Finerty  of  the  sandhouse. 

Stockton,  F.  R.     Vizier  of  the  two-horned  Alexander. 

Stringer,  A.  J.  A.     The  shadow. 

Tarkington,  Booth.    The  flirt. 

Ward,  Mrs.  M.  A.  A.    The  mating  of  Lydia. 

BOOKS   FOR  BOYS   AND   GIRLS 

Allen,  C.  F.    David  Crockett,  scout. 
Altsheler,  J.  A.    The  Texan  star. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  169 

Bailey,  O.  S.    Girl's  make-at-horae  things. 

Baldwin,  James.     The  sampo. 

Carroll,  Lewis.     Alice's  adventures  in  Wonderland. 

Carruth,  Haydon.     Track's  end. 

DuBois,  M.  C.    The  lass  of  the  silver  sword. 

DuBois,  M  C.    The  league  of  the  signet  ring. 

Finnemore,  John.     Barbary  rovers. 

Griewold,  Latta.     Deering  of  Deal. 

Gulliver,  Lucile.    The  friendship  of  nations. 

Hall  and  Lenox.    Red  letter  days  and  facts. 

Hodges,  George.    Saints  and  heroes. 

Holbrook,  Florence.    The  Hiawatha  primer. 

Hough,  Emerson.    Young  Alaskans  on  the  trail. 

How  to  Play  Baseball. 

Kipling,  Rudyard.     The  Kipling  reader. 

Lamb,  Charles.    Adventures  of  Ulysses. 

Marshall,  Mrs.  E.  M.     In  four  reigns. 

Masefield,  John.     Jim  Davis. 

Mix,  J.  L    Mighty  animals. 

Potter,  Beatrix.     Tale  of  Peter  Rabbit. 

Quirk,  L.  W.     The  fourth  down. 

Schutlz,  J.  W.    With  the  Indians  in  the  Rockies. 

Zwilgmeyer,  Dikken.    Johnny  Blossom. 

PRESENT   METHOD   OF   OPERATING   THE   BRANCHES 

In  the  early  establishment  of  the  Brumback  county 
library  system,  when  collections  of  books  from  the  main 
library  were  located  in  a  number  of  places  of  business  in 
the  county,  these  were  called  "  branch  libraries  "  and  those 
in  charge  of  them  were  called  "  branch  librarians."  These 
terms  were  used  for  convenience  and  as  the  most  expressive. 
Such  names  as  sub-stations,  branch  stations,  delivery  sta- 
tions, deposit  stations  and  county  stations  have  also  been 
used,  and  later  the  word  "  custodian  "  has  come  into  vogue 
as  a  synonym  of  branch  librarian. 

In  this  book  all  of  these  terms  are  employed,  but  the  words 
"  branch  library  "  and  "  branch  librarian  "  seem  to  be  the 
most  suitable.     The  term  "  branch  library  "  conveys  the 


170  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

idea  of  both  books  and  location,  and  while  it  may  be  less 
than  a  branch  library  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  words,  it  is 
more  than  a  delivery  or  deposit  station;  and  while  the  one 
in  charge  of  a  branch  library  is  less  than  a  branch  librarian, 
in  the  full  sense  of  the  term,  he  is  more  than  a  mere  custo- 
dian. Hence,  for  the  lack  of  better  terms  these  are  used  as 
the  most  expressive. 

Van  Wert  as  the  county-seat  is  the  logical  location  for  a 
county  library,  and,  being  centrally  located,  it  is  well 
adapted  to  the  administration  of  a  county  traveling  library 
system.  It  lies  at  the  intersection  of  the  Pennsylvania  Rail- 
road, the  Cincinnati  Northern  Railroad  and  the  Ohio  Elec- 
tric Interurban  Line,  which  render  it  easily  accessible  from 
all  parts  of  the  county  and  afford  convenient  transportation 
in  all  directions. 

In  order  to  reach  the  people  of  the  county,  books  are 
placed  at  the  various  trading  points,  whether  they  be  villages 
or  cross-roads.  It  chances  that,  at  present,  the  fifteen 
branches  are  located  in  five  drug  stores,  seven  general  stores, 
two  f>ost  offices  and  the  Delphos  Public  Library.  Five  fac- 
tors enter  into  the  work  of  the  branches. 

A.    BORROWERS    OF    THE    BRANCHES 

Rules  for  the  government  of  the  patrons  of  the  branches : 

1.  Residents  of  Van  Wert  County,  above  the  age  of  nine 
years,  are  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  library  or  any  of 
its  branches,  by  signing  an  agreement  to  comply  with  the  rules 
and  regulations  of  the  library.  Such  application  blanks  may 
be  found  at  the  library  or  at  any  of  the  stations,  where  appli- 
cants may  be  supplied  with  borrowers'  cards. 

2.  A  borrower's  card  entitles  the  holder  to  draw  books  from 
the  central  library  at  Van  Wert  or  from  any  of  the  branch 
libraries  established  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  in  different  parts 
of  the  county,  provided  each  book  is  returned  to  the  same 
place  from  which  it  was  taken. 

3.  Each  branch  is  furnished  with  a  placard  specifying  dates 
upon  which  the  books  are  to  be  returned  by  the  librarian  of  the 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  171 

station  to  Van  Wert.  A  book  withheld  beyond  these  dates, 
necessitating  its  return  separately,  must  be  sent  by  the  librarian 
at  the  borrower's  expense. 

4.  All  regulations  in  the  "  Book  of  Rules  "  with  respect  to 
the  care  of  books,  fines,  etc.,  applicable  to  borrowers  from  the 
central  library  will  be  enforced  against  patrons  obtaining  books 
at  the  branches. 

B.    BOOKS    FOR    THE    BRANCHES 

Selection.  In  the  selection  of  books  for  the  branches 
exceeding  care  is  exercised  to  provide  the  latest  and  most 
highly  commended  works  on  the  various  sciences  and  arts, 
the  most  interesting  books  of  travel  and  the  best  of  litera- 
ture. Book  lists  and  reviews  which  are  recognized  as 
authoritative  are  consulted  in  choosing  the  most  desirable 
of  the  recent  books,  while  some  of  the  standard  works  are 
always  included  in  the  collections.  Order  slips  are  kept  on 
file  of  especially  new  and  attractive  books,  in  readiness  for 
the  time  when  purchase  of  county  books  shall  be  made.  In 
the  consideration  of  all  tastes  it  is  the  aim  to  have  each  100 
books  representative  of  all  the  classes  of  literature,  the 
basis  of  which  is  as  follows :  26  juvenile,  30  fiction,  i 
philosophy,  3  religion,  4  sociology,  i  philology,  4  science, 
5  useful  arts,  3  fine  arts,  6  literature,  5  biography,  6  history, 
7  travel.  This  apportionment  varies  slightly  in  each  collec- 
tion, depending  upon  the  desirable  books  available  at  the 
time  of  purchase. 

PurcJiase.  For  a  number  of  years  balanced  collections 
were  purchased  periodically  for  the  branches.  Under  this 
arrangement  the  seventeen  packing  boxes  (an  extra  one 
for  emergencies)  with  their  collections  completed  the  cir- 
cuit of  the  stations  in  forty-eight  months,  each  box  having 
remained  at  each  station  three  months.  Consequently  at 
the  end  of  the  fourth  year  the  2,cxx>  books  in  the  county 
boxes  were  transferred  to  the  shelves  of  the  main  library, 
another  lot  having  been  purchased  and  made  ready  to  refill 
the  county  boxes.    The  task  of  selecting  2,000  books  which 


172  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

would  not  duplicate  to  any  great  extent  those  previously  in 
the  county  collections  nor  the  books  on  the  library  shelves, 
and  which  would  yet  be  readable,  popular  and  of  more  than 
ephemeral  value,  grew  increasingly  more  difficult.  There- 
fore, in  19 lo  the  better  plan  of  renewing  four  boxes  each 
year  was  adopted,  whereby  each  year  takes  care  of  its  own 
work,  and  thenceforward  there  ceased  to  be  a  quadrennial 
task  so  great  that  other  work  of  the  library  had  to  be  neg- 
lected pending  its  completion.  Thus,  a  definite  sum  for 
county  books  can  be  set  aside  each  year  and  the  heavy  out- 
lay every  fourth  year  is  avoided. 

Preparation.  These  books  are  collated,  pocketed, 
stamped,  labeled,  accessioned,  classified  and  catalogued  the 
same  as  books  for  the  central  library,  but  they  have  their 
own  separate  shelf -list  as  long  as  they  are  kept  in  the  county. 
They  are  provided  with  the  regulation  book  card  to  be  kept 
at  the  central  library.  In  addition  to  this,  in  each  book 
pocket  is  placed  another  book  card  (see  opposite  page  for 
illustration). 

A  balanced  collection  of  about  125  books  is  then  placed  in 
a  packing  case,  which  is  a  substantially  made  box  with  tray, 
hinged  lid,  handles  and  lock  and  key.  These  boxes  are 
painted  gray  and  have  the  name  and  address  of  the  library, 
also  the  words,  "  Books  —  Keep  Dry,"  lettered  on  them  in 
black.  On  the  end  of  each  box  is  painted  its  number  (i 
up  to  17),  which  is  always  retained  by  the  box  or  its  sub- 
stitute. Each  box  has  a  capacity  of  from  125  to  200  books 
and  the  collection  placed  in  it  travels  with  the  box  as  long 
as  that  collection  is  in  use  in  the  county,  or  until  the  books 
are  finally  returned  to  the  central  library  shelves.  Upon 
the  inside  of  the  lid  of  each  book  is  tacked  a  typewritten, 
classified  list  of  the  books  sent  in  the  box  with  any  changes 
that  may  be  made  from  time  to  time.  Printed  booklets  con- 
taining annotated  lists  of  the  books  in  the  box  are  placed 
in  the  box  to  be  distributed  by  the  branch  librarians  to  their 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES 


173 


patrons  for  home  reference.  The  box  is  then  shipped, 
freight  prepaid,  to  its  branch  as  per  schedule.  Extra  boxes 
averaging  lOO  books  each  are  sent  to  some  of  the  stations 
regularly  and  to  others  as  needed. 


Author 

Title 

THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY 

DATE- 
LENT 

BORROWER ♦S   NAME 

DATE 
RETURNED 

C.      BRANCH    LIBRARIANS 

At  each  location  of  a  branch  is  hung  on  the  outside  of  the 
building  a  metal  sign,  in  blue  and  white  enamel :  "  Branch 
of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County.  Books 
free  to  all  residents  of  the  county."  Each  branch  is  also 
supplied  with  a  neat  book-case  holding  from  150  to  200 


174 


THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 


books  and  a  small  tin  tray  for  the  filing  of  book  cards.  At 
the  first  of  every  year  a  placard  6xio  inches  is  sent  from 
the  main  library  to  each  branch  librarian.  On  this  is  printed 
in  heavy  type  the  dates  for  that  year  on  which  the  boxes  are 
to  be  returned  to  the  central  library  from  that  particular 
station;  for  example: 


CONVOY 

28 

February, 

1911. 

25 

May, 

1911. 

21 

August, . . 

1911. 

14 

November, 

1911. 

These  placards  are  hung  in  a  prominent  place,  where  the 
patrons  as  well  as  the  branch  librarian  can  note  the  dates. 
Promptness  in  the  following  of  this  schedule  both  by  custo- 
dian and  patrons  is  expected,  so  that  there  need  be  no  delay 
in  the  transfer  of  boxes  from  one  station  to  another.  When 
the  branch  librarian  receives  his  box  of  books  he  checks  off 
the  books  with  the  list  on  the  lid  of  the  box  and  places  them 
in  the  book-case.  When  a  borrower  comes  for  a  book,  the 
branch  librarian  removes  the  book  card  *  from  the  book 
pocket  and  writes  on  it  the  name  of  the  borrower  and  date 
of  the  loan.  He  then  places  the  card  on  file  alphabetically 
in  the  tin  tray  provided  for  the  purpose,  where  it  remains 
until  the  return  of  the  book.  Every  evening  he  counts  and 
makes  a  note  of  the  number  of  book  cards  issued  that  day 
on  a  circulation  sheet  provided  for  the  purpose,  and  at  the 
end  of  the  month  sends  in  to  the  county  assistant  the  circu- 
lation for  the  month  on  a  post  card  printed  with  the  library's 
address  and  provided  by  the  central  library  for  the  purpose. 
The  printed  form  of  the  card  is : 

*  See  p.  173. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  175 

books  circulated  from during  the  month 

of 

(Signature) 

On  the  return  of  the  book  by  the  borrower  the  date  is 
written  on  the  book  card  and  the  card  is  replaced  in  the 
book.  These  book  cards  remain  in  the  books  when  they  are 
returned  at  the  end  of  twelve  weeks  to  the  central  library. 
The  branch  librarian  pays  the  drayage  (for  which  he  is 
reimbursed),  but  all  freight  is  paid  at  the  central  library. 
Any  requests  for  special  books  by  patrons  of  a  branch  are 
forwarded  to  the  county  assistant  by  whom  the  books  are 
sent  in  the  next  box  to  the  station.  If  the  need  is  urgent  they 
are  sent  by  mail  or  express. 

Each  branch  librarian  is  paid  $50  a  year  for  his  services. 
Promptness,  intelligence  and  personal  interest  are  neces- 
sary qualifications  for  a  good  branch  librarian  and  the  suc- 
cess of  the  branch  depends  in  a  great  measure  upon  his 
enthusiasm  in  the  work.  Beginning  with  the  year  1907  a 
monthly  report  was  sent  to  each  of  the  sixteen  branch 
librarians  containing  a  statement  of  the  number  of  books 
circulated  from  all  the  branches  during  the  month,  the  total 
number  of  applications  received,  the  total  number  of  cards 
renewed,  and  giving  each  station  its  rank  according  to  the 
number  of  books  circulated  during  the  month.  In  this  way 
the  branches  are  kept  informed  as  to  the  progress  of  the 
work.  In  addition  to  this,  tables  are  occasionally  sent  to 
the  branches  showing  the  highest  and  lowest  circulation  since 
the  installation  of  each  branch. 

The  rules  governing  the  librarians  of  the  branches  are  as 
follows : 

1.  All  applications  must  be  sent  to  central  library  to  be 
registered,  on  receipt  of  which  corresponding  borrowers'  cards 
are  returned  to  the  branch  librarians. 

2.  On  the  lid  of  each  box  sent  to  the  stations  is  a  classified 
list  of  the  books  contained  in  the  box.     Librarians  of  the 


176  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

various  stations  are  expected  to  check  off  books  with  these 
lists.  If  any  discrepancies  are  found  notice  must  be  sent  at 
once  to  the  county  librarian,  who  takes  for  granted  the  correct- 
ness of  lists  unless  informed  to  the  contrary,  and  holds  the 
branch  librarian  responsible  for  the  books.  He  must  collect  all 
fines  for  books  overdue,  impose  fines  for  books  damaged  and 
collect  price  of  books  lost  or  destroyed  through  carelessness. 
In  case  books  are  injured,  lost  or  destroyed  through  the  negli- 
gence of  the  branch  librarian,  a  proper  amount  is  deducted 
from  his  salary. 

3.  The  branch  librarian  must  return  books  to  Van  Wert  on 
the  date  specified  in  the  schedule  provided  by  the  county 
librarian.  Any  books  not  returned  with  the  boxes  must  be  sent 
at  the  expense  of  those  holding  the  books. 

4.  It  is  required  by  the  board  that  each  branch  librarian 
send  to  the  county  librarian  at  the  end  of  every  month  an 
accurate  report  of  the  circulation  of  the  books  at  his  station, 
to  be  submitted  to  the  board  in  her  report  at  their  monthly 
meetings.  Failure  to  comply  with  this  rule  may  result  in  the 
removal  of  the  branch.  If  the  report  is  delayed  beyond  a  rea- 
sonable time  and  several  notices  from  the  county  librarian  fail 
to  obtain  it  and  it  becomes  necessary  to  telephone  concerning 
same  to  the  branch  librarian,  the  telephone  toll  shall  be 
deducted  from  the  salary  of  the  branch  librarian. 

5.  Persons  having  any  form  of  contagious  disease  in  their 
residence  or  families  shall  not  be  permitted  to  draw  books. 
In  case  there  are  books  in  the  possession  of  those  where  con- 
tagion exists,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  branch  librarian  to  notify 
the  county  librarian,  who  forwards  instructions  as  to  the  dis- 
posal of  such  books.  He  should  also  use  his  best  judgment  in 
closing  the  branch  library  in  the  event  of  an  epidemic  and 
notify  the  county  librarian. 

6.  The  first  of  January  a  yearly  itemized  account  of  expen- 
ditures and  receipts  in  connection  with  each  branch  library 
must  be  submitted  to  the  board. 

D.  BRANCHES  AND  COUNTY  ASSISTANT 

The  box  returned  to  the  central  library  by  the  branch 
librarian  is  taken  in  charge  by  the  county  assistant,  who 
compares  the  books  returned  in  the  box  with  her  packet  of 
book  cards  (representing  the  books  in  that  box),  which  are 


3: 
u 
y. 

y. 

5 


c 


LOCATION  OF  WREN  BRANCH  LIBRARY,  INTERIOR 


LOCATION  OF  ELGIN  BRANCH  LIBRARY 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  177 

kept  by  her  on  file  under  the  label  of  the  number  of  that  box. 
She  is  thus  able  to  know  just  what,  if  any,  books  are  missing 
and  the  branch  librarian  is  at  once  notified.  She  mends 
any  books  in  need  of  repair,  sends  books  to  the  bindery 
when  necessary,  substituting  others  from  the  county  reserve 
and  making  a  corresponding  change  in  the  typewritten 
list  on  the  lid  of  the  box.  From  the  book  cards  returned  in 
the  books  from  the  station  she  gathers  statistics  of  the  num- 
ber of  books  read,  the  number  of  each  class  read,  and,  if 
desired,  the  number  and  names  of  active  readers  as  shown 
by  the  cards.  Since  these  statistics  of  the  county  assistant 
cover  the  period  of  twelve  weeks  during  which  the  books 
were  at  the  branch  without  regard  to  calendar  months,  while 
the  statistics  of  the  branch  librarian  represent  only  calendar 
months,  the  two  sets  of  statistics  cannot  be  identical;  but 
at  the  end  of  the  year  they  should  be  close  enough  to  reveal 
any  undue  discrepancy  in  reports. 

When  all  is  ready  she  re-packs  the  books  with  annotated 
lists,  etc.,  and  sends  the  box  on  to  its  next  station  as  per 
schedule. 

E.   SCHEDULE  OF  BRANCHES 

The  time  schedule  of  the  exchange  of  county  boxes  is  a 
very  imi>ortant  factor  in  the  county  work,  and  not  easily 
explained  in  a  few  words.  It  has  to  be  carefully  worked  out 
in  advance  and  should  not  be  interfered  with  or  confusion 
and  complications  will  arise  in  the  operation  of  the  branch 
libraries.  There  are  sixteen  *  stations,  but  seventeen  boxed 
collections  of  books.  All  of  these  circulate  as  per  sched- 
ule, but  having  an  extra  box  permits  of  one  box  being  on 
hand  at  all  times  at  the  central  library  to  be  utilized  in  case 
of  some  special  emergency.  However,  in  arranging  the 
schedule,  care  is  taken  to  provide,  in  the  transfer  of  the 

*  At  present  there  are  fifteen  stations,  but  the  schedule  arranged 
for  sixteen  stations  remains  unchanged,  thus  providing  for  any  new 
branch  that  might  be  established. 


178 


THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 


boxes,  for  an  ample  margin  of  time  to  cover  reasonable 
delays  in  transportation.  To  make  the  round  of  sixteen 
stations,  remaining  at  each  station  three  months,  each  box 
of  books  is  on  duty  for  forty-eight  months,  at  the  end  of 
which  time  it  is  refilled  with  a  new  collection.  Therefore, 
in  preparing  a  schedule  governing  the  exchange  of  the 
boxes,  it  is  necessary  to  have  a  calendar  of  dates  for  five 
years  in  advance. 

The  county  branches  have  been  operating  on  a  schedule 
which  dates  from  1910  and  provides  for  sixteen  stations. 
This  will  soon  need  to  be  replaced  by  another  one  covering 
the  years  to  1919.  With  her  calendars  prepared,  the  county 
assistant  can  arrange  her  schedule  for  five  years  for  each 
station  and  for  each  box.  To  illustrate,  a  part  of  the  old 
schedule  is  shown,  which  may  be  carried  out  on  the  same 
principle  indefinitely  through  the  years. 


Station 


Scoit 

Dixon 

Wren 

Willshire .  . . 
Middlepoint 
Hutchinson. 
Ohio  City .  . 
Delphos. . . . 
Convoy .... 

Cavett 

Dasie 

Venedocia . . 
Glenmore .  . 

Wetsel 

Converse . . . 
Elgin 


Date  for 
Box  to 
Reach 
Station 


Jan.  21 
Jan.  26 
Jan.  30 
Feb.  3 
Feb.  8 
Feb.  13 
Feb.  18 
Feb.  23 
Feb.  28 
Mar.  6 
Mar.  U 
Mar.  16 
Mar.  21 
Mar.  27 
Apr.  1 
Apr.     6 


Box 


Date  for 
Box  to 
Reach 
Station 


Apr.  11 
Apr.  17 
Apr.  24 
Apr.  29 
May  4 
May  9 
May  15 
May  20 
May  25 
May  30 
June  5 
June  10 
June  15 
June  20 
June  26 
July     1 


Box 


Date  for 
Box  to 
Reach 
Station 


July  6 
July  11 
July  17 
July  24 
July  31 
Aug.  5 
Aug.  10 
Aug.  15 
Aug.  21 
Aug.  26 
Aug.  31 
Sept.  5 
Sept.  11 
Sept.  16 
Sept.  21 
Sept.  26 


Box 


Date  for 
Box  to 
Reach 
Station 


Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Nov. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 
Dec. 


Box 


A  study  of  the  above  shows  Box  i,  for  instance,  at 
Dixon,  January  26,  at  Wren,  April  24,  at  Willshire,  July 
24,  at  Middlepoint,  Oct.  23,  and  so  on  until  it  has  visited 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  179 

each  station  and  returns  to  Dixon  in  January,  191 5. 
(Between  visits  the  box  is  always  returned  to  the  central 
library.)  But  before  it  is  sent  to  Dixon  again,  the  books 
in  the  box  are  replaced  by  an  entirely  new  collection.  While 
the  collection  as  a  whole  is  changed  at  this  particular  time, 
during  its  four  years  of  travel  it  is  kept  up-to-date  by  fresh 
books,  which  replace  those  worn  out  or  dropped  for  special 
reasons.  Since  this  method  of  refilling  each  box  every  four 
years  results  in  four  new  collections  each  year  for  the 
branches,  the  people  using  the  branch  libraries  have  at  all 
times  access  to  recent  and  well  selected  books.  In  order  to 
put  into  oi)eration  this  method  by  which  four  boxes  may  be 
refilled  every  year,  it  was  at  first  necessary  to  have  four  col- 
lections replaced  after  the  first  year,  four  after  the  second 
year,  four  after  the  third  year,  since  which  time  each  col- 
lection is  renewed  every  four  years. 

A  study  of  the  above  schedule  will  also  show  that  a  box 
is  received  at  the  central  library  and  sent  out  every  five  days. 
The  dates  and  the  numbers  of  the  boxes  to  be  refilled  are 
taken  from  the  schedule  and  for  ready  reference  are  grouped 
under  each  year.    To  illustrate : 

Teby.  18 —  Box  6  fjan.  i  —  Box  14 

May  25  —  Box  7  J  Apr.  11  —  Box  16 

Aug.  31  —  Box  8  I  J"'y  ^  —  ^°^  ^5 

Dec.  5  —  Box  9  [  Oct.  19  —  Box  17 

In  1915  the  above  is  repeated.         In  1916  the  above  is  repeated. 


191 1 


BRANCH   LIBRARIANS 

Wiltshire  Branch. 

Ellsworth  Brown,  hardware  store,  Feb.  19,  1901  —  Feb.  i,  1909. 

Jesse  L.  Crowe,  restaurant,  Feb.  4,  1909  —  Dec.  5,  1909. 

W.  W.  Parks,  drug  store,  Feb.  14,  191  o,  to  date. 
Ohio  City  Branch. 

J.  A.  Swoveland,  drug  store,  March  7,  1901 — July  i,  1903. 

H.  M.  Agner,  drug  store,  Jan.  i,  1903  —  July  i,  1904. 

J.  A.  Swoveland,  drug  store,  July  i,  1904,  to  date. 


180  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Convoy  Branch. 

D.  W.  Leslie,  drug  store,  March  ii,  1901,  to  date. 
Middlepoint  Branch. 

H.  A.  Mohler,  drug  store,  March  12,  1901,  to  date. 
Delphos  Branch. 

law  office,  March  14,  1901 
Jan.  13,  1913. 


Jane  Brotherton  1 

Mary  Brotherton  I 


Mrs.  B.  J.  Brotherton    j 

Delphos  public  library,  April  7,  1913,  to  date. 
Venedocia  Branch. 

Jones  &  Jones,  hardware  store.  May  17,  1901  —  Oct.  21,  1903. 

D.  J.  Evans,  post  office,  Oct.  21,  1903,  to  date. 
Cavett  Branch. 

W.  M.  Hoaglin,  general  store,  June  3,  1901  —  Sept.  16,  1910. 

C.  L.  Gordon,  general  store,  Sept.  16,  1910,  to  date. 
Dasie  Branch. 

L.  B.  Springer,  general  store.  May  25,  1901,  to  date. 
Hutchinson  Branch. 

C.  L.  Gordon,  general  store,  Dec.  31,   1901 — Aug.   i,   1909. 
(Closed) 
Wetsel  Branch. 

Dr.  J.  Wolfe,  office,  Jan.  8,  1902  —  Aug.  11,  1909. 

F.  C.  Myers,  general  store,  Aug.  11,  1909  —  Sept.  15,  1911. 

C.  Ditto,  general  store,  Sept.  15,  191 1,  to  date. 
Glenmore  Branch. 

James  R.  Conn,  general  store,  July  25,  1902  —  Sept.  15,  1903. 

L.  S.  Cully,  general  store,  July  i,  1901 — Jan.  23,  1905. 

Franklin  Myers,  general  store,  Jan.  23,  1905  —  Jan.  i,  1906. 

Charles  W.  Kiracofe,  general  store,  Jan.  i,  1906  —  April  i,  191 1. 

F.  C.  Germann,  general  store,  April  i,  191 1,  to  date. 
Converse  Branch. 

R,  W.  Hance,  Farmers'  Grocery,  Aug.  12,  1902,  to  date. 
Scott  Branch. 

Mrs.  Alice  Reeb,  Fasig  drug  store,  Feb.  10,  1903  —  June  i,  1907. 

W.  M.  Merlin,  general  store,  Aug.  12,  1907  —  Nov.  i,  1909. 

W.  F.  Leidy,  drug  store,  Nov.  22,  1909,  to  date. 
Dixon  Branch. 

Charles  Hoeken,  post  office,  Feb.  13,  1903,  to  date. 


THE  BRANCH  LIBRARIES  181 

Wren  Branch. 

Mrs.  Arthur  Swoveland,  drug  store,  Feb.  19,  1903  —  Feb.  i, 
1907. 

Mrs.  C.  C.  Bowen,  drug  store,  Feb.  i,  1907  —  Feb.  19,  1909. 

F.  M,  German,  telephone  exchange,  April  2,  1909  —  July  i,  1913. 

Dudley  &  Dull,  general  store,  July  i,  1913,  to  date. 
Elgin  Branch. 

Mrs.  A.  Pfeiffer,  dpctor's  office,  Oct.  20,  1904  —  Nov.  i,  1905. 

Bessie  Hughes,  private  house,  Sept.  25,  1905  —  Dec.  i,  1908. 

L.  L.  Wolfe,  general  store,  Feb.  i,  1909  —  Jan.  i,  1912. 

B.  B.  Doughton,  general  store,  Jan.  29,  1912  —  May  i,  1912. 
V.  H.  Strete,  general  store,  Aug,  i,  1912  —  Dec.  i,  1912. 
Elvin  Clark,  general  store,  Feb.  24,  1913  —  Sept.  17,  1913. 

C.  T.  Clantz,  general  store,  Sept.  17,  1913,  to  date. 


CHAPTER  XIII 

SCHOOLS 

THE  work  of  the  schools  is  considered  under  the 
two  heads :  County  Schools  *  and  Van  Wert  City 
Schools. 

In  studying  the  growth  of  the  county  library,  it  is  inter- 
esting to  note  how  spontaneously  it  spreads  and  propagates 
itself  by  offshoots,  which,  seeking  outlet  for  their  energies, 
finally  take  root  in  fresh  fields  of  library  activity.  With 
judicious  care  and  cultivation  these  tender  little  offshoots 
put  forth  by  the  main  stock,  finally  become  strong  and  hardy 
and  in  the  end  bear  choicest  fruit.  In  the  fifth  year  of  the 
library  it  happily  became  apparent  that  an  offshoot  from  the 
main  library  had  taken  root  in  fallow  soil.  Hesitatingly 
but  voluntarily  came  scattered  requests  from  the  teachers 
and  pupils  of  the  county  schools  for  books,  which  requests 
were  gladly  welcomed  and  cordially  granted.  Special  priv- 
ileges were  accorded  any  and  all  teachers  of  the  county, 
and  all  possible  encouragement  was  given  to  the  movement 
tending  to  a  cooperation  of  the  county  library  and  the 
county  rural  schools. 

This  work  of  the  rural  schools  and  of  the  schools  of  the 
small  towns  of  the  county,  resulting  in  a  circulation  equal  to 
or  greater  than  that  of  the  branches,  is  now  an  important 
factor  in  the  activities  of  the  library  and  is  cared  for  in  a 
special  department  by  a  special  assistant  at  central  library. 
The  offshoot,  to  continue  the  analogy,  finally  became  sturdy 
and  strong  and  today  is  as  productive  of  results  as  the  parent 
stock  or  its  branches. 

♦County  Schools  refer  to  all  schools  outside  of  Van  Wert  City. 

182 


SCHOOLS  183 

This  chapter  will  trace  this  growth.  It  is  necessary  to 
remember  here  that,  for  reasons  previously  stated,  only  two 
borrowers'  cards  were  at  first  issued  to  any  one  family,  and 
not  until  1908  was  this  limitation  removed.  In  the  second 
year  of  the  library's  operations,  1902,  Mr.  J.  P.  Sharkey, 
superintendent  of  the  Van  Wert  schools,  requested  that 
his  teachers  might  have  teachers'  cards.  The  request  was 
granted  by  the  Board.  Furthermore,  in  order  to  give  all 
the  schools  of  the  county  equal  opportunities  with  those 
of  the  city  of  Van  Wert,  it  was  decided  to  grant  to  any 
teacher  in  Van  Wert  County,  making  proper  application,  a 
special  teacher's  card  entitling  the  holder  to  draw  at  one 
time  four  volumes  for  use  in  her  school  work.  A  number 
of  the  city  teachers  at  once  took  advantage  of  the  privilege, 
the  result  of  which  was  an  increased  demand  for  good  books 
for  young  people.  However,  at  the  end  of  the  year  but 
few  county  teachers  had  availed  themselves  of  the  opportu- 
nity, which  is  probably  explained  by  the  fact  that  few  of 
them  as  yet  knew  of  the  arrangement.  The  close  of  another 
year  -r-  1903  —  showed  a  total  of  fifty-two  of  these  teach- 
ers' cards  issued,  indicating  that  the  knowledge  and  use  of 
the  special  library  privileges  granted  to  the  teachers  had 
become  more  general,  largely  due  to  the  efforts  of  the 
teachers  themselves,  since  no  attempt  was  made  then,  nor 
has  any  attempt  been  made  since,  by  the  library  to  thrust  the 
privilege  upon  the  teachers.  Ministers  and  other  special 
workers  were  now  included  among  those  entitled  to  special 
cards. 

When  in  1904  the  records  showed  that  fifty-eight  teachers 
in  the  county  schools  outside  of  Van  Wert  city  schools  had 
special  cards,  it  was  evident  that  the  teachers  of  the  county, 
"  leaders  as  they  should  be  in  all  that  tends  to  uplift  and 
enlighten,"  were  fast  availing  themselves  of  the  opportunity 
offered  them  by  the  library.  Most  of  the  teachers  came  to 
the  central  library  for  their  books,  where  they  were  invited 


184  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

to  go  to  the  shelves  and  make  their  own  selection.  If,  how- 
ever, they  desired  the  librarian  to  assist  in  the  selection  of 
books  she  was  at  their  service.  Because  of  the  increasing 
interest  on  the  part  of  the  county  teachers,  in  1905  action 
was  taken  permitting  all  teachers  of  the  county  schools  to 
have  collections  of  books  for  their  class-rooms,  provided 
they  kept  accurate  records  of  the  circulation  of  these  books. 
For  this  purpose  the  teachers  are  provided  with  necessary 
blanks,  similar  to  those  used  by  the  branch  librarians,  also 
post  cards  for  forwarding  the  monthly  circulation  to  cen- 
tral library,  which  require  simply  the  insertion  of  the  num- 
ber of  volumes  circulated  and  the  teachers'  signatures. 
Later  in  the  work,  it  became  the  custom  to  send,  at  the  end 
of  each  month,  post  cards  to  the  ten  teachers  having  the 
largest  circulation  for  the  month.  Among  the  teachers  who 
first  made  use  of  these  school  collections  were  Mr.  Red- 
field,  superintendent  of  the  Willshire  schools,  who  had 
books  sent  for  the  use  of  his  teachers;  Mr.  J.  M.  Distler, 
who  took  books  to  his  school  near  Middlepoint;  and  Mr. 
Ray  Fife,  teacher  of  a  school  near  Cavett. 

To  show  that  the  library  appreciated  the  cooperation  ot 
the  teachers,  it  was  arranged  to  have  a  meeting  of  all  teach- 
ers of  the  county  at  the  library,  but  the  project  was  not 
carried  out  until  a  later  date  and  then  with  great  success. 
A  second  meeting  on  a  subsequent  occasion  was  equally  suc- 
cessful. The  librarian.  Miss  Brotherton,  in  her  report  for 
1906  says,  "  The  use  of  the  library  by  the  county  teachers 
and  pupils  is  growing  constantly.  The  circulation  through 
the  country  schools  marks  one  of  the  greatest  developments 
of  the  year  in  the  work.  The  day  is  swiftly  passing  when  a 
teacher  is  content  to  teach  a  particular  text-book  rather  than 
the  subject,  and  with  that  day  comes  the  closer  cooperation 
of  libraries  and  schools,  each  supplementing  the  work  of 
the  other." 

It  became  very  evident  that  in  order  properly  to  care  for 


SCHOOLS  185 

and  encourage  this  rapidly  growing  work  with  the  schools  of 
the  county,  some  systematic  provision  for  it  would  have  to 
be  made.  It  had  assumed  such  proportions  that  in  1906  the 
separate  department  of  school  libraries  for  the  use  of  the 
country  schools  was  established.  This  department  was 
started  on  a  small  scale  with  less  than  500  volumes.  The 
collection  was  selected  with  great  care  from  the  list  of  books 
for  boys  and  girls  compiled  by  Miss  Caroline  N.  Hewins 
and  from  other  critical  lists.  Only  books  that  were  of  true 
educational  value  were  included,  though  stories  and  books 
of  a  popular  nature  were  not  excluded;  no  attempt  was 
made  to  provide  text-books  or  books  for  merely  recreational 
reading.  The  surprising  and  unexpected  demand  for  these 
school  libraries  by  teachers  of  the  county  soon  exhausted  the 
special  collection  provided  for  this  purpose,  and  made  serious 
inroads  on  the  general  juvenile  collection.  In  addition  to 
meeting  the  teachers  who  came  to  the  library,  the  librarian, 
by  frequently  attending  the  county  teachers'  institute  ses- 
sions, came  into  personal  touch  with  the  teachers  who  had 
not  as  yet  made  use  of  the  library's  resources. 

And  now  an  old  question,  in  new  form,  again  presented 
itself,  and  again  it  was  the  situation  at  Delphos,  explained 
elsewhere,  which  gave  rise  to  it.  This  question  was  whether 
teachers  who  were  non-residents  of  but  teachers  in  Van 
Wert  County  might  have  library  privileges ;  and  on  the  other 
hand,  whether  teachers  residents  of  Van  Wert  County  but 
teaching  in  another  county  might  have  school-room  collec- 
tions. The  ruling  of  the  Board  was  that  a  teacher  not  a 
resident  of,  but  teaching  in.  Van  Wert  County  might  have 
a  school-room  collection,  but  not  a  teacher's  card ;  but  that 
a  teacher,  a  resident  of  the  county  but  teaching  in  a  school 
outside  of  Van  Wert  County,  might  have  a  teacher's  card 
but  not  a  school-room  collection.  Teachers  making  their 
abode  in  the  county  while  teaching  here  have  the  same 
privileges  during  that  period  as  any  resident. 


186  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

In  1907  the  total  number  of  special  cards  registered  was 
192.  Every  township  in  the  county  had  at  least  one  school 
library,  some  townships  having  as  many  as  seven.  The 
teachers  of  the  county  schools  were  doing  truly  remarkable 
work  in  carrying  a  knowledge  of  the  library  and  its 
resources  into  their  districts,  some  of  these  remote  from 
the  central  library.  Literally  speaking,  they  "  carried  "  this 
knowledge,  for  they  took  the  books  in  cases  and  baskets  or 
in  bundles  to  their  destination.  The  number  of  books  taken 
varied  from  ten  to  fifty.  The  only  rule  governing  the  size 
of  these  collections  is  that  they  shall  not  exceed  the  number 
of  pupils  in  the  schools.  A  county  teacher  may  keep  a  col- 
lection, as  a  whole  or  in  part,  for  as  long  a  period  of  the 
school  year  as  he  may  desire,  or  he  may  exchange  it,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  as  he  desires.  During  this  year  there  was 
an  appreciable  increase  in  the  amount  of  reference  work 
done  at  the  central  library  for  the  county  schools  and  sta- 
tions. The  circulation  through  the  county  school  libraries 
showed  a  gain  of  24%  over  that  of  the  preceding  year.  The 
librarian  says  that  "  the  books  loaned  to  the  teachers  were 
chiefly  of  their  own  selection  and  the  use  made  of  them 
was  especially  praiseworthy."  At  this  time  the  county 
school  collection  proper  contained  678  volumes  and  during 
the  year  it  was  necessary  to  supplement  it  with  313  volumes 
from  the  shelves  of  the  central  library. 

Statistics  from  the  county  school-libraries  department  in 
1 910  denoted  a  steady  growth,  although  the  actual  number 
of  volumes  circulated  was  less  than  during  the  year  previ- 
ous. But  this  was  the  case  in  all  of  the  departments  owing 
to  a  mild  epidemic  of  small-pox.  As  eloquent  evidence  of 
the  progress  in  the  school  department,  it  is  only  needful  to 
cite  the  two  following  instances  in  connection  with  its  work. 
Mr.  C,  L,  Shaffer,  superintendent  of  the  schools  in  Liberty 
Township,  in  the  latter  part  of  19 10,  requested  200  books  for 
distribution  among  his  teachers.     These  were  placed  in  his 


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o 

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o 


LOCATION  OF  CONVOY  BRANCH  LIBRARY 


LOCATION  OF  SCOTT  BRANCH  LIBRARY 


SCHOOLS  187 

office  at  Ohio  City  for  the  convenient  use  of  the  township 
teachers  and  of  those  in  the  Ohio  City  schools.  Mr.  Ray 
Fife,  new  supervisor  of  schools  in  Union  and  Tully  town- 
ships, at  about  the  same  time,  made  a  similar  request,  viz., 
for  five  collections  of  thirty-five  volumes  each,  which  he 
carried  from  school  to  school  in  his  round  of  visits.  Too 
much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of  superintendents,  super- 
visors and  teachers  who  show  such  interest  and  enthusiasm 
in  their  work  as  to  be  willing  to  assume  added  responsibility 
in  their  desire  to  raise  the  standards  of  their  schools.  When 
they  appeal  to  the  library  for  assistance  in  this  work,  the 
library  is  enabled  better  to  fulfill  its  mission  as  a  county 
library. 

The  following  instance  illustrates  the  personal  interest 
and  careful  supervision  of  a  township  superintendent  in  con- 
nection with  the  schools  under  his  care.  He  told  the  libra- 
rian he  had  made  the  discovery  that  in  one  of  his  schools  the 
boys  had  got  into  the  way  of  reading  books  of  a  "  blood 
and  thunder  "  type,  and  he  asked  her  opinion  as  to  how 
the  matter  could  best  be  handled.  She  wisely  suggested 
that  he  satisfy  this  natural  craving  of  the  boys  for  adven- 
ture by  supplying  them  with  wholesome  books  of  adventure 
of  the  right  sort  and  on  subjects  of  interest  to  every  normal 
boy.  Accordingly,  a  list  was  made  up  including  tales  about 
Indians  and  the  real  West,  stories  of  Daniel  Boone  and 
pioneer  days,  inspiring  books  of  true  heroism  and  real 
exploits.  The  teacher  reported  that  the  good  books  soon 
displaced  the  "  cheap  literature." 

In  this  connection  the  following  quotation  is  of  interest : 

. . .  These  statistics  [circulation  of  the  different  depart- 
ments for  several  years]  tell  their  own  most  interesting  and 
suggestive  story.  They  plainly  show  that  good  hooks  carefully 
selected  will  be  read  by  the  people  and  the  school  children, 
when  placed  within  their  reach.  The  great  pity,  as  well  as 
danger,  is  that  unless  good  hooks  are  furnished,  had  ones  will 
be  read.    It  is  useless  to  rail  against  the  evil  of  reading  bad 


188  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

books  and  provide  nothing  in  their  stead.  A  vacuum  is 
abhorred  in  the  moral  as  well  as  in  the  physical  atmosphere. 
"  Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good." 

The  success  of  the  County  Library  in  Van  Wert  County  fur- 
nishes an  object  lesson  which  should  be  carefully  studied  by 
all  who  have  the  welfare  of  the  schools  and  the  people  at  heart. 
Such  a  library  is  an  important  factor  in  solving  many  of  the 
pressing  problems  in  the  intellectual  and  spiritual  life  of  the 
people  of  both  country  and  town. 

We  trust  that  the  library  may  serve  as  a  model  for  many 
other  counties  in  Ohio,  and  that  the  great  work  which  is  being 
accomplished  through  it  may  furnish  an  incentive  to  other  men 
of  means  to  make  bequests  similar  to  that  of  Mr.  Brumback, 
or  to  the  people  of  the  different  counties  to  provide,  in  some 
manner,  wholesome  reading  for  the  schools  and  homes  in  their 
territory.  The  small  cost  of  maintenance  would  not  be  bur- 
densome to  anyone  and  the  large  value  to  all  cannot  be  esti- 
mated in  money.* 

In  1910  forty-nine  school  libraries  were  in  use  in  the  Van 
Wert  County  schools  and  in  191 1  the  number  was  increased 
to  eighty-nine.  The  school  collection  numbering  863 
volumes  was  augmented  in  191 1  to  2,206  volumes.  In  this 
same  year  i  ,000  volumes  were  borrowed  for  a  time  from  the 
State  Library  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  to  aid  in  carrying  on  the 
work  with  the  county  schools.  Occasionally  some  parent  or 
member  of  a  school  board  objects  to  the  use  of  the  books  in 
the  school-room,  but  this  objection  usually  arises  from  a 
misunderstanding  of  the  purpose  of  the  books.  It  is  more 
frequently  the  case  that  books,  taken  from  these  school 
libraries  by  the  children  into  their  homes,  are  read  by  the 
parents  and  older  brothers  and  sisters,  and  lead  to  a  further 
interest  in  the  library  on  the  part  of  the  older  members  of 
the  family,  resulting  in  new  adult  patrons  for  the  library. 
There  comes  to  mind,  in  this  connection,  a  teacher  who 
always  asks  for  books  for  older  readers  for  circulation  in 
the  surrounding  country. 

*  Excerpts  from  remarks  by  the  Editor  of  the  Ohio  Educational 
Monthly  of  April,  1912,  relative  to  an  article  on  the  Brumback  Library. 


SCHOOLS  189 

The  year  1912  saw  1,000  more  volumes  in  the  county 
schools,  seventeen  more  teachers  with  school  collections 
and  a  gain  of  8,521  in  circulation  as  compared  with  191 1. 
In  considering  the  statistics  of  circulation  it  should  be 
remembered  that  some  of  these  school  collections  are  used 
wholly  for  reference  in  the  class-rooms  and  do  not  circulate. 
Miss  Corinne  Metz,  who  was  librarian  from  the  fall  of  1909 
to  the  spring  19 13,  has  in  the  March,  19 12,  number  of 
Public  Libraries  a  very  good  article  concerning  the  work 
of  the  library  with  the  rural  schools  of  the  county,  selections 
from  which  are  herewith  quoted: 

The  collections  as  a  rule  are  returned  in  excellent  condi- 
tion, but  we  ask  each  teacher  to  give  a  talk  to  her  pupils  on  the 
care  of  books  and  a  brief  sketch  of  their  county  library.  The 
teachers  report  greater  interest  in  such  studies  as  geography 
and  history  as  a  result  of  supplementary  reading  on  these  sub- 
jects; better  order  and  discipline  where  books  are  at  hand  for 
the  restless  parts  of  the  day ;  and  more  rapid  progress  in  read- 
ing when  the  simple  readers  and  picture  books  are  used  with 
the  youngest  children. 

The  books  included  in  the  initial  purchase  for  the  school 
collections  were  books  of  recognized  literary  merit  and  sound 
ethical  value.  Since  the  department  is  primarily  educational, 
these  qualities  are  still  considered  in  purchasing  books  for  the 
schools,  but  we  include  a  much  wider  range  of  subjects  than  at 
the  beginning  and  occasionally  add  books  which,  though  of 
slight  value  from  a  literary  standpoint,  are  useful  as  stepping 
stones.  Simple  primers  and  picture  books  are  most  in  demand, 
since  the  youngest  pupils  in  the  country  schools  are  of  neces- 
sity left  much  to  themselves.  Easy  books  on  science  and 
nature  study  are  also  popular,  especially  since  the  study  of 
agriculture  has  been  introduced  into  the  schools  of  the  state. 
Geography,  history  and  biography  are  liked,  while  fairy  tales 
and  myths  and  legends  are  especially  useful  because  they  stimu- 
late the  child's  imaginative  faculties.  "  Thick  "  books  are  not 
popular  and  there  is  little  demand  for  books  for  older  boys 
and  girls,  since  most  of  the  country  boys  and  girls  of  high 
school  age  attend  the  high  school  at  Van  Wert  and  the  other 
towns   of    the   county.     This    limits  our    selection    to    books 


190  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

suitable  for  children  between  the  ages  of  five  and  fourteen, 
and  since  the  demand  is  similar  in  all  the  schools  we  duplicate 
freely.  Lists  of  books  of  special  interest  to  teachers  are  fre- 
quently printed  in  the  daily  papers  and  additional  lists  are 
struck  off  for  general  distribution.  Recent  examples  are, 
"  Some  books  on  debating  " ;  "  Books  on  story  telling  " ;  lists 
compiled  by  other  libraries  are  also  used,  notably  the  Cleve- 
land graded  Usts  for  schools.  The  list  compiled  by  Miss 
Kennedy  and  recommended  by  the  Wisconsin  Library  Com- 
mission has  been  bought  in  quantities  for  distribution.  With 
about  125  teachers  in  the  county  we  shall  consider  100  school 
stations  a  fair  number,  taking  into  account  the  proximity  of 
some  of  the  schools  to  the  central  library  and  the  unwilling- 
ness of  some  of  the  teachers  to  do  any  extra  work.  The 
library  is  the  natural  meeting  place  for  the  county  teachers; 
hence  an  effort  is  made  to  have  them  feel  at  home  there. 

Each  year  the  personnel  of  the  county  teachers  changes 
somewhat,  some  of  the  teachers  dropping  out  and  new  ones 
taking  their  places.  This  renders  it  necessary  each  year  to 
explain  to  the  teachers  how  the  library  may  be  of  assistance 
to  them  in  their  school  work.  The  librarian  does  this  usually 
through  the  agency  of  the  county  teachers'  institutes  held 
at  Van  Wert,  by  personal  letters,  by  printed  information  or 
in  any  other  way  suggesting  itself  to  her.  It  should  be 
mentioned  here  that  those  in  charge  of  the  county  institute 
work  have  at  all  times  been  most  thoughtful  in  the  exten- 
sion of  courtesies  to  the  library  and  in  giving  the  librarian 
opportunities  to  present  the  cause  of  the  library.  In  return, 
the  library  has  been  careful  not  to  abuse  the  privilege.  Both 
institutions  work  side  by  side,  each  independent,  and  yet 
cooperating  with  one  another  to  the  advantage  of  both. 

In  August  of  19 1 3,  having  arranged  with  the  committee 
in  charge,  the  librarian  invited  the  members  of  the  county 
institute  to  come  to  the  library  for  a  social  hour  on  Tuesday 
of  institute  week.  They  responded  by  coming  in  a  body 
at  the  appointed  time.  In  the  words  of  the  librarian,  "  Our 
aim  was  three- fold:  (i)  to  show  the  teachers  the  library 


SCHOOLS  191 

and  explain  its  facilities  for  helping  the  county  teachers, 
(2)  to  obtain  as  complete  a  register  as  possible  of  those 
present  for  future  use  and  (3)  to  promote  and  strengthen 
the  friendly  and  cordial  relationship  existing  between  the 
teachers  of  the  county  and  the  library.  We  feel  that  we 
accomplished  these  three  things  to  an  even  greater  extent 
than  had  been  hoped. 

"  For  the  accomplishment  of  the  first,  we  simply  put 
before  their  eyes  as  many  evidences  of  our  school  work  as 
possible,  by  having  on  display  sample  collections  of  books, 
juvenile  lists  for  distribution,  maps  showing  the  county 
work,  pictures  for  the  use  of  schools,  etc.  For  the  second, 
we  had  suspended,  from  the  low  wall  chandeliers,  cards 
bearing  the  names  of  the  twelve  townships.  Each  teacher 
was  requested  to  sign  his  name  on  the  card  of  the  township 
wherein  was  located  his  school.  A  tiny  ribbon  bow  pinned 
on  the  teacher  while  signing  helped  indicate  to  the  library 
assistants  those  who  had  signed  the  cards,  thus  enabling 
them  to  seek  out  and  urge  to  do  so  those  who  had  not.  We 
thus  obtained  113  names,  while  there  were  no  doubt  some 
who  did  not  sign.  The  third  purpose  was  accomplished  by 
the  informality  of  the  whole  affair  and  by  the  serving  of 
refreshing  lemonade  and  wafers.  The  only  *  speech  '  was 
a  very  informal  talk  by  the  librarian,  who  explained  the 
manner  of  obtaining  and  the  use  of  school  libraries." 

Many  teachers  came  during  the  remainder  of  institute 
week  to  select  their  school  libraries.  Cards  bearing  the 
following  instructions  are  sent  or  given  to  all  teachers. 

SCHOOL  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  BRUMBACK  LIBRARY  OF  VAN  WERT  COUNTY. 

HOW   TO   USE 

1.  Report  to  the  librarian  on  the  first  day  of  each  month  the 
total  number  of  books  issued  during  the  previous  month.  Keep 
the  daily  statistics  on  the  blank  provided  for  the  purpose. 

2.  When  a  pupil  borrows  a  book,  write  his  name  on  the  book 
card. 


192  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

3.  We  prefer  that  the  books  be  taken  home  by  the  children,  but 
the  teacher  may  use  them  in  the  school  for  reference  or  for  supple- 
mentary reading. 

4.  State  in  your  monthly  report  whether  the  books  were  used 
in  school  or  taken  home. 

5.  Principals  and  teachers  are  held  responsible  for  the  return 
of  all  books  loaned  them.  Lost  or  mutilated  books  must  be  paid 
for.  If  leaves  become  loose  or  torn,  put  the  book  aside  until  the 
return  of  the  collection. 

6.  Please  do  not  deny  a  child  full  use  of  the  books  as  a  punish- 
ment for  low  standing  or  poor  deportment. 

7.  Write  to  the  librarian  whenever  you  would  like  a  bit  of 
information  on  any  subject.  You  can  thus  consult  the  library's 
reference  books  at  any  time  by  correspondence. 

8.  If  at  any  time  books  on  special  subjects  are  needed,  tell  us. 

9.  Pictures,  mounted  and  provided  with  hangers,  can  be  bor- 
rowed for  use  in  the  school  room. 

As  a  result  of  No.  7,  in  the  above,  many  questions  are 
asked  and  answered.  A  few  of  these  have  been  given  in 
another  place.  Occasionally  it  takes  the  combined  efforts  of 
the  school  assistant  and  librarian  to  find  answers  to  some 
of  them.  A  recent  question  was,  "  How  is  a  hay-stack 
weighed?"  This  was  a  little  out  of  the  librarian's  Hne, 
but  she  "  wrestled  "  with  it  until  she  could  send  the  required 
information. 

The  three  following  letters  are  self-explanatory.  The 
Ohio  Legislature,  in  191 3,  on  the  recommendation  of  a 
school  commission  that  had  thoroughly  investigated  edu- 
cational conditions  in  the  state,  passed  a  comprehensive  pub- 
lic school  law,  which  goes  into  effect  September,  19 14.  One 
of  the  requirements  of  this  law  is  that  every  rural  school 
shall  have  a  collection  of  at  least  fifty  books.  Since  the 
Brumback  Library  has  for  years  been  supplying  the  schools 
of  Van  Wert  County  with  books,  the  State  Superintendent 
was  asked  to  permit  the  Brumback  Library  to  furnish  the 
rural  schools  the  requisite  number  of  books,  which  request 
was  granted. 


C 

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> 


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A  RURAL  SCHOOL  L\  VAX  WERT  COUXTY 


A  RURAL  SCHOOL  LX  VAX  WERT  COUXTY 


SCHOOLS  193 

This  will  save  all  the  schools  of  the  county  the  expense  of 
buying  a  library,  will  give  them  well-selected  books,  will 
furnish  them  changing  collections,  will  keep  all  books  in 
repair  and  will  enable  the  teachers  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of 
expert  library  advice.  In  the  past  all  the  schools  have  not 
had  library  collections  (this  year  the  number  is  86  out  of 
113),  but  in  the  future  all  the  schools  will  be  obliged  to 
secure  collections,  which  will  make  it  possible  for  the  library 
to  do  a  greater  work  than  has  thus  far  been  accomplished. 

Van  Wert,  Ohio,  April  8,  19 14. 
To  the  Teachers  and  Trustees  of  Van  Wert  County  Schools :  — 

One  of  the  requirements  of  the  new  school  law  for  a  rural 
elementary  school  of  the  first  grade  is  that  it  have  a  library  of 
not  less  than  fifty  volumes. 

As  the  following  letters  indicate,  it  will  not  be  necessary  for 
any  of  the  rural  schools  of  Van  Wert  County  to  purchase  fifty 
volumes  if  they  borrow  them  from  the  Brumback  Library.  The 
Library  offers  the  further  privilege  of  allowing  the  teachers  to 
exchange  the  collections  in  whole  or  in  part  during  the  school 
year,  and  will  keep  the  books  in  repair. 

Yours  truly. 
The  Trustees  of  The  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert 

County. 


Van  Wert,  Ohio,  April  7,  1914. 
Mr.    Frank    Miller,    Superintendent    of    Public    Instruction, 

Columbus,  Ohio. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Miller :  — 

The  section  of  the  School  Laws,  designated  (e)  of  the 
requirements  for  a  first  grade  rural  elementary  school,  has  been 
brought  to  our  attention. 

Van  Wert  County  is  taxed  for  library  purposes. 

Since  1906  The  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County  has 
had  a  School-Libraries  Department,  from  which  any  teacher  in 
Van  Wert  County  may  borrow  a  school  library,  which  collection 
of  books  he  may  exchange  for  different  ones  whenever  he 
desires  during  the  school  year. 


194  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

In  this  way  4,222  volumes  were  loaned  to  teachers  of  this 
county  last  year.  This  year  86  of  the  113  schools  of  the  county 
have  availed  themselves  of  this  privilege  of  obtaining  school 
libraries. 

The  Library  maintains  a  high  standard  of  selection  of  books 
for  these  school  libraries,  and  the  supply  is  constantly  being 
renewed,  replenished  and  supplemented. 

It  would  therefore  seem  unnecessary  for  the  rural  schools  of 
this  county  to  have  to  raise  funds  to  buy  books  for  their  schools 
in  order  to  fulfill  this  clause  of  the  new  law,  when  the  County 
Library  has  been  provided  to  meet  just  such  needs. 

Therefore,  in  view  of  what  we  have  already  done  and  can  do 
in  the  future,  will  you  give  us  the  authority  to  assure  the 
teachers  of  this  county  that  for  them  to  obtain  school  library 
collections  from  the  County  Library  will  fulfill  the  require- 
ments of  the  law  in  this  respect. 

Very  truly  yours, 

J.  P.  Reed, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van 
Wert  County. 


Columbus,  Ohio,  April  8,  1914. 
Mr.  J.  P.  Reed,  Van  Wert,  Ohio. 
My  Dear  Sir :  — 

Your  letter  of  April  7  has  just  been  received.  If  a  school  can 
guarantee  that  it  will  always  have  the  required  number  of  books 
at  hand,  although  it  should  get  them  from  The  Brumback 
Library,  we  will  accept  such  a  library  as  meeting  the  require- 
ments. 

Trusting  that  I  have  answered  your  question,  I  am 
Very  truly  yours, 

Frank  W.  Miller, 

Superintendent. 

Locally  the  people  are  awake  to  the  significance  of  the 
county  unit  idea  and  utilize  it  to  a  large  degree  in  county 
development.  In  1912  the  Business  Men's  Association  of 
Van  Wert  instituted  a  movement  for  "  Boosting  Van  Wert 


SCHOOLS  195 

County."  This  was  an  essay  contest  to  be  participated  in 
by  all  the  schools  of  the  county  on  the  subject :  "  Possi- 
bilities of  Van  Wert  County,"  "  Possibilities  of  Van  Wert," 
"  Boosting  Van  Wert,"  "  How  Best  to  Promote  the  Mutual 
Interests  of  our  City  and  County,"  "  Why  We  Should  Buy 
Goods  at  Home,"  "Why  We  are  Proud  of  Van  Wert 
County,"  "  The  Van  Wert  of  Tomorrow."  It  was 
announced  that ' — 

"  The  object  of  this  movement  is  to  promote  good  feel- 
ing, loyalty  to  home  interests,  and  the  prosperity  and  gen- 
eral welfare  of  all  the  people  in  Van  Wert  County.  It  is  our 
purpose  to  make  our  children  realize  what  splendid 
resources  are  at  hand  and  to  help  all  to  see  more  clearly  the 
boundless  possibilities  of  our  county,  so  that  we  may  build 
for  the  future.  The  county  fair,  the  county  library,  the 
county  Chautauqua  are  each  and  all  for  the  same  general 
good.  These  institutions  are  neither  selfish  nor  mercenary, 
but  broad  and  liberal.  They  promote  culture,  happiness  and 
good  citizenship.  The  present  movement  is  along  the  same 
line,  and  will  you  not  give  your  loyal  cooperation  and 
support  to  these  interests  of  the  best  county  in  Ohio?  " 

Many  prizes,  which  were  articles  of  merchandise  varying 
in  price  from  two  to  five  dollars,  were  ofTered  by  the  dif- 
ferent business  firms :  four  to  each  class  of  the  Van  Wert 
high  school ;  four  to  each  of  the  grades  of  the  Van  Wert 
schools ;  four  to  each  of  the  county  towns ;  four  to  the 
schools  of  each  township  exclusive  of  the  town  schools  of 
the  townships ;  a  first  and  a  second  prize  to  all  pupils  in  the 
above  over  twelve  years  of  age  and  a  first  and  second  prize 
to  those  in  the  above  under  twelve  years.  Sweepstake  prizes 
were  also  given :  $15  for  the  best  essay  from  the  Van  Wert 
high  school;  $10  for  the  best  essay  from  the  Van  Wert 
grade  schools;  $10  for  the  best  essay  from  the  towns  out- 
side of  Van  Wert;  $10  for  the  best  essay  from  the  town- 
ships. 


196  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Prizes  were  awarded  at  the  Auditorium  in  the  city  of 
Van  Wert,  Dec.  i6,  191 1.  All  contestants  were  urged  to  be 
present  and  were  addressed  by  Hon.  A.  P.  Sandles,  secre- 
tary of  the  Ohio  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  who  also 
awarded  the  prizes.  Four  sets  of  judges,  each  set  compris- 
ing three  members,  passed  on  the  large  number  of  essays, 
which  according  to  the  rules  governing  the  contest,  had 
been  deposited  at  the  Brumback  Library  on  or  before 
December  i,  191 1.  Whether  or  not  the  giving  of  prizes  in 
all  cases  is  a  proper  incentive,  in  this  case  it  proved  advan- 
tageous. 

In  this  day  a  great  deal  is  heard  about  conservation  of 
energy.  Much  that  formerly  went  to  waste  or  lay  dormant 
is  now  utilized.  This  applies  not  only  to  the  forces  of 
nature  but  to  the  powers  of  man  as  well.  It  is  fully  expected 
of  man  in  his  work  that  he  get  maximum  results  with  a 
minimum  of  eflfort ;  in  short,  that  efficiency  characterize  his 
activities.  To  promote  efficiency  on  the  farm,  a  law  was 
passed  in  Ohio  requiring  the  teaching  of  agriculture  in  the 
schools.  Efficiency  on  the  farm  is  also  promoted  through 
extension  school  work.  As  a  result  of  this  law  and  these 
extension  schools,  there  is  an  increasing  demand  at  the 
library  for  books  on  agriculture. 

As  briefly  explanatory  of  some  of  the  work  done  in  Van 
Wert  County  by  way  of  extension  schools,  part  of  an  article 
from  a  Van  Wert  paper  of  Nov.  8,  191 1,  is  given. 

Various  departments  of  the  Ohio  State  University  have  for 
some  time  been  engaged  in  widening  the  scope  of  the  institu- 
tion by  establishing  extension  schools  at  different  county-seats, 
thus  bringing  instruction  to  the  door  of  those  who  have  no 
opportunity  to  go  to  the  university. 

The  latest  department  of  the  university  to  take  up  this  work 
is  the  college  of  education.  It  is  following  closely  the  plan 
adopted  by  the  agricultural  department,  which  sent  to  this 
county  last  year  a  corps  of  very  efficient  instructors,  who  are 
arranging  to  visit  here  again.  Van  Wert  is  fortunate  in  being 
one  of  the  chosen  places  for  a  proposed  school. 


SCHOOLS  197 

On  account  of  the  present  pressing  demand  of  teachers  for 
instruction  in  elementary  agriculture,  practically  all  the  time 
of  the  school  will  be  devoted  to  this  one  subject.  The  work 
is  intended  primarily  for  the  teachers  of  rural  and  village 
schools;  and  will  be  adapted  especially  for  use  in  the  sixth, 
seventh  and  eighth  grades,  although  teachers  who  are  teach- 
ing or  who  expect  to  teach  agriculture  in  the  high  school  for 
the  first  time  will  find  the  course  helpful. 

The  nature  of  the  work  will  be  very  practical  from  the 
teacher's  point  of  view.  The  course  will  be  illustrated,  and  the 
exercises  in  elementary  agriculture  will  be  of  such  a  character 
that  the  teachers  may  make  immediate  use  of  them  in  their 
schools.  Those  who  attend  this  school  will  not  only  get  some- 
thing definite  to  teach  in  agriculture,  but  will  also  be  given  the 
correct  methods  of  teaching  it. 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL  LIBRARIES 

In  January,  191 2,  it  was  decided  to  try  the  experiment  of 
placing  small  collections  of  books  in  several  of  the  more 
isolated  rural  churches,  with  the  idea  of  serving  portions  of 
the  county  not  hitherto  reached  by  the  central  library  or  any 
of  its  stations.  The  location  of  the  churches  was  carefully 
considered  and  collections  were  forwarded  to  Sunday  school 
superintendents  or  other  officials  after  arrangements  had 
been  previously  made  with  them  personally  to  oversee  the 
work.  The  degree  of  interest  on  the  part  of  the  people  in 
these  collections  varied  greatly;  e.  g.,  in  one  case  a  second 
collection  was  requested  with  a  definite  statement  of  what 
was  desired,  while  in  another  case  there  was  not  a  great 
deal  of  active  interest  displayed.  Owing  to  the  pressure  of 
work  on  all  sides  no  special  efifort  will  be  made  for  the 
present  to  extend  this  work  except  as  pressing  need  arises 
justifying  additional  trouble  and  expense. 

That  there  are  great  possibilities  in  this  field  of  work  goes 
without  saying.  For  example,  by  keeping  in  close  touch 
with  the  many  Sunday  school  conventions  held  each  year  in 
all  parts  of  the  county,  the  library  has  an  excellent  opportu- 
nity for  furthering  the  cause  of  good  and  helpful  books. 


198  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

At  the  central  library  some  work  has  been  done  for  Sunday 
school  workers  by  preparing  and  distributing  printed  lists 
of  books  dealing  with  the  Sunday  school  lessons  and  by 
placing  the  books  where  they  can  be  readily  consulted. 
Notices  in  the  county  papers  and  announcements  by  the 
ministers  in  their  pulpits  assist  in  making  this  arrangement 
known. 

CITY  SCHOOLS 

The  most  cordial  relations  have  at  all  times  existed 
between  the  Van  Wert  schools  and  the  library,  and  it  is 
due  in  a  measure  to  their  hearty  cooperation  that  the  library 
is  able  to  extend  its  usefulness  to  so  large  an  extent  to  the 
young  people  of  the  community.  The  schools  of  the  city 
depend  entirely  upon  the  library  for  reference  material  and 
for  books  for  supplementary  reading  and  study.  The 
busiest  parts  of  the  day  are  those  which  follow  the  closing 
of  school  and  the  evening  hours.  The  library  is  fortunately 
located  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  high  school  build- 
ing, which  renders  it  easily  accessible  to  the  high  school 
pupils,  almost  all  of  whom  are  nov/  able  to  do  a  great  part 
of  their  own  reference  work,  needing  only  occasional  sug- 
gestions as  to  the  finding  of  what  might  not  be  readily  dis- 
coverable. 

Skill  in  the  use  of  reference  books  as  well  as  "library 
tools  "  has  been  acquired  by  the  pupils  through  instruction 
more  or  less  formally  given  by  the  librarian.  In  the  earlier 
years  this  instruction  was  imparted  at  the  schools,  but  in 
recent  years  it  has  been  the  custom  for  the  pupils  to  come  to 
the  library  to  secure  a  working  knowledge  of  the  library. 
To  this  end  the  principal  of  the  high  school  makes  out  a 
schedule  for  the  Freshman  class,  which  usually  numbers 
about  1 20,  and  in  groups  of  ten  they  come  to  the  library, 
where  the  librarian  gives  each  group  an  hour.  The  latter 
is  much  the  preferable  way  since  pupils  can  more  readily 
understand  explanations  with  respect  to  the  arrangement 


SCHOOLS  199 

of  books  on  the  shelves  and  the  use  of  the  card  catalogue, 
indexes  and  the  more  important  reference  books  when  all 
these  are  at  hand.  Questions  on  this  work  are  prepared  by 
the  librarian  for  inclusion  in  the  examinations  in  the  Fresh- 
man English  course. 

It  is  the  purpose  of  the  library  also  to  do  some  such  work 
with  the  upper  grades,  for  the  child  who  leaves  school  before 
he  reaches  high  school  will,  in  after  years,  have  the  greater 
need  of  the  library.  If  he  has  acquired  a  working  knowl- 
edge of  the  resources  of  a  well-equipped  library  he  can 
apply  this  to  his  advantage  in  making  up  for  his  lost 
schooling. 

To  facilitate  the  work  with  the  schools,  certain  books  are 
withheld  temporarily  from  circulation  at  the  request  of 
teachers,  for  use  at  the  library  only,  in  order  that  all  con- 
cerned may  have  equal  opportunities  in  consulting  them. 
Furthermore,  in  a  floor  case  provided  for  the  purpose  are 
placed  the  books  which  the  several  high  school  teachers 
desire  their  pupils  to  use  in  connection  with  their  class  work. 
For  several  years  it  has  been  the  custom  of  the  principal  of 
the  high  school  to  compile  a  "  Home  Reading  Book  List " 
for  the  use  of  the  high  school  pupils.  This  list  is  given 
in  pamphlet  form  with  a  cut  of  the  high  school  on  one 
cover  and  of  the  library  on  the  other,  and  under  the  name 
of  each  teacher  appear  the  books  on  which  he  will  receive 
reviews  from  the  pupils.  For  191 3  the  number  of  books 
was  100,  of  pupils  340,  of  teachers  12. 

The  High  School  Principal,  Mr.  Orrin  Bowland,  issued 
the  following  to  pupils. 

Nine  years  ago  an  attempt  was  made  to  supervise  the  home 
reading  of  our  high  school  pupils.  The  plan  adopted  proved 
so  successful  and  the  results  have  been  so  satisfactory  that  it 
has  now  become  a  regular  part  of  the  high  school  course.  The 
present  list,  containing  about  one  hundred  titles,  is  the  fifth 
revision.  Much  time  and  care  have  been  given  in  making  the 
selections   and   we   believe   that   these   books   are   all   good. 


200  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

wholesome  and  suitable  for  young  people.  We  want  you  to 
read  at  home  four  of  them  a  year,  one  each  quarter.  On  at 
least  two  days,  each  quarter,  reviews  and  reports  will  be  heard. 
Then  the  pupil  and  teacher  are  to  have  a  friendly  and  informal 
talk  about  the  book  read.  A  record  is  kept  and  graduates  are 
given  a  typewritten  list  of  books  thus  read  and  reviewed  with 
a  credit  statement  signed  by  the  Principal  and  Superintendent. 

Report  to  the  teacher  under  whose  name  the  book  is  listed. 
The  figures  i,  2,  3,  4,  indicate  the  year  in  which  the  books 
should  be  read.  However,  with  the  approval  of  the  pupil's 
teacher  in  English,  a  latitude  of  one  year  either  way  is  per- 
mitted. 

The  classics  sufficient  to  fully  meet  college  entrance  require- 
ments are  read  in  the  class-room  and  are  not  in  this  list.  The 
books  in  this  list  are  all  found  in  the  Brumback  Library,  and 
Miss  Holding,  the  librarian,  and  her  three  assistants  are  always 
ready  and  willing  to  aid  pupils  in  their  reading  and  reference 
work.  We  are  indeed  fortunate  in  having  this  helpful  institu- 
tion located  near,  and  you  must  not  fail  to  improve  the  splen- 
did opportunity  which  the  library  and  the  high  school  together 
afford. 

Owing  to  the  proximity  of  the  library  to  the  schools, 
school-room  collections  have  not  been  needed,  esi>ecially 
for  older  pupils.  But  on  the  suggestion  of  Mrs.  Conn,  the 
library  assistant  in  charge  of  the  school  department,  who 
was  at  one  time  a  primary  teacher  in  the  city  schools,  it  was 
decided  to  make  a  trial  of  placing  small  collections  in  the 
first  four  grades  of  the  four  ward  schools.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  sixteen  teachers  of  these  grades  this  plan  was  sub- 
mitted and  approved  with  the  result  that  a  carefully  selected 
collection  of  ten  volumes  is  loaned  to  each  of  the  sixteen 
teachers  and  by  her  loaned  to  the  pupils  for  home  reading. 
At  the  end  of  two  months  the  books  are  returned  to  the 
library  for  repairs,  statistics  are  t^en  from  the  book  cards 
and  the  collection  is  sent  on  to  the  next  teacher  of  the  same 
grade.  The  results  shown  by  the  second  year  of  this  experi- 
ment are  such  that  it  is  to  be  repeated.  The  teachers  express 
their  appreciation  of  the  privilege,  while  the  children  are 


X 

u 

y. 


X 


u 


LOCATION  OF  MIDDLEPOIXT  BRANCH  LIBRARY 


LOCATION  OF  VENEDOCIA  BRANCH  LIBRARY 


SCHOOLS  201 

more  than  pleased.  The  chief  objections  urged  thus  far  are 
that  the  collections  are  too  small  and  that  some  of  the 
books  are  wanted  for  a  longer  period  than  the  allotted  two 
months. 

The  circulation  on  these  i6o  books  from  November  to 
June  was  5,732,  or  thirty-six  circulations  for  each  book. 
Needless  to  say,  the  books  were  much  worn  and  many  were 
in  need  of  replacement,  but  since  nearly  all  of  them  are 
small  and  inexpensive  the  cost  per  circulation  is  slight.  If 
the  entire  collection  had  to  be  replaced  at  fifty  cents  per  copy 
the  cost  per  circulation  would  be  little  more  than  a  cent 
and  a  half ;  while  if  only  half  of  the  books  had  to  be  replaced 
the  cost  would  be  still  further  reduced.  The  time  and  effort 
will  be  fully  repaid  when  these  little  folk  become  regular 
library  patrons  at  the  age  of  nine  years. 

On  several  occasions  the  library  has  observed  what  it 
called  "  College  Week."  To  quote  from  the  report  of  Miss 
Jane  Brotherton,  one  of  the  former  librarians,  "  College 
Week  was  celebrated  the  week  commencing  June  4,  1906. 
Its  object  was  to  call  the  attention  of  the  high  school  pupils 
to  the  advantages  and  opportunities  of  a  college  course,  as 
offered  at  the  different  colleges  and  universities,  particularly 
those  of  our  own  state.  Through  the  cooperation  of  former 
college  students  and  the  officials  of  the  colleges  and  uni- 
versities, we  had  on  display  college  catalogues,  photographs 
of  college  scenes,  buildings  and  organizations,  and  college 
pennants ;  in  fact,  everything  we  could  collect  suggestive  of 
the  best  and  most  attractive  features  of  college  life.  On 
our  display  shelves  we  placed  a  collection  of  books  treating 
of  the  colleges,  and  a  list  of  the  most  popular  periodical 
articles  on  the  subject.  It  was  our  second  annual  college 
week  and  the  interest  shown  would  warrant  us  in  making  it 
a  regular  feature  of  our  work,  A  letter  from  the  president 
of  one  of  our  best  universities  expresses  the  attitude  of  the 
colleges  themselves  toward  such  a  display.    In  this  letter  he 


202  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

says,  *  What  a  capital  idea  this  is !  I  am  very  glad  to  aid 
you  to  the  best  of  my  ability  in  carrying  this  out.'  " 

The  large  number  of  young  men  and  women  who  go  to 
college  from  Van  Wert  County  indicates  that  the  many  and 
varied  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  library  and  schools  to 
acquaint  the  young  people  of  the  county  with  the  educa- 
tional resources  of  the  state  and  nation  have  not  been  in 
vain. 

Among  the  valuable  educational  privileges  enjoyed  by  the 
teachers,  pupils  and  general  public  of  Van  Wert  County  are 
those  afforded  by  the  city  and  county  teachers'  institutes. 
Van  Wert  is  fortunately  in  a  circuit  of  several  cities  visited 
by  some  of  the  best  educators  and  speakers  of  the  day, 
who  come  with  special  messages  for  the  inspiration  and 
encouragement  of  their  listeners.  In  191 1  Dr.  P.  P.  Clax- 
ton.  National  Commissioner  of  Education,  came  to  Van 
Wert  to  address  the  institute.  At  this  time  he  visited  the 
Brumback  Library  and  took  note  of  its  county  work,  with 
the  result  that  shortly  afterwards  an  article  from  the 
National  Bureau  of  Education  was  published  in  which  Dr. 
Claxton  commended  the  county  library  idea  and  praised 
the  successful  operation  of  the  Brumback  Library  in  its 
county  activities.  The  publication  of  this  article  or  extracts 
from  it  in  papers  and  periodicals  in  many  parts  of  the  coun- 
try aroused,  because  of  its  source,  great  interest  in  libraries 
for  the  people  in  rural  communities  all  over  the  country,  and 
gave  a  decided  impetus  to  the  county  library  movement.  In 
the  next  chapter  selections  from  this  article  are  given. 


CHAPTER   XIV 

FUTURE  POSSIBILITIES 

IT  HAS  been  made  plain  that  the  work  of  the  Brumback 
Library  has  been  to  supply  with  library  service  the 
12,825  people  of  the  two  cities  and  eight  towns  and  the 
16,294  people  of  the  farms  of  Van  Wert  County,  a  terri- 
tory of  405  square  miles. 

Now,  the  question  arises,  what  of  the  future?  Will  the 
library  retrograde,  hold  its  own,  or  make  further  progress  ? 
Retrogression  would  be  a  misfortune.  Holding  its  own 
would  be  creditable.  **  Billy  Sunday  "  tells  a  story  of  two 
Irishmen  who  were  walking  to  London  town.  After  having 
been  on  the  way  for  a  time  they  came  to  a  guide-post  which 
said  "  Twenty  miles  to  London."  Encouraged  by  this 
information  they  continued  on  their  journey.  In  a  short 
while  they  were  greeted  by  another  guide-post,  which  read, 
—  "  Twenty  miles  to  London."  Drawing  their  belts  up 
another  notch  they  pressed  onward  with  grim  determina- 
tion. When  a  third  guide-post  confronted  them  — 
"  Twenty  miles  to  London  "  —  Pat  exclaimed,  "  Begorra, 
we  're  holding  our  own !  " 

If  the  library  should  simply  hold  its  own  in  the  future  it 
would  be  doing  well,  but  it  will  do  more  than  this.  It  will 
continue  to  make  progress,  although  progress  should  be  slow 
for  the  reason  that  in  any  movement  that  has  to  do  with 
social  service  each  step  must  be  preceded  by  a  preparation, 
and  even  a  demand,  for  the  step  taken.  The  quickest  way 
to  interrupt  progress  along  any  line  is  to  thrust  upon  the 
people  something  for  which  they  are  not  prepared  and  which 
they  do  not  demand.    For  example,  if  the  Brumback  Library 

203 


204  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

had  from  the  beginning  put  into  operation  in  rapid  suc- 
cession all  of  the  innovations  that  characterize  its  thirteen 
years  of  history,  the  result  would  have  been  — 

(i)  The  antagonism  of  other  county  institutions  would 
have  been  aroused,  which  would  have  greatly  handicapped 
the  library  in  its  work. 

(2)  Students  of  economy  would  have  seen  from  a  study 
of  the  work  that  accomplishments  were  hardly  commensu- 
rate with  their  cost. 

(3)  An  enduring  foundation  would  not  have  been  laid 
for  future  activities. 

But,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  the  work  has  been  such  that  the 
library  has  at  all  times  had  the  cooperation  of  other  county 
institutions  and  develops  unity  in  county  activities;  the 
most  exacting  economist  cannot  point  to  a  single  year  dur- 
ing which  large  results  have  not  been  obtained  with  the 
money  expended;  and  an  enduring  foundation  has  been 
laid  for  future  development. 

Today  with  an  enthusiastic  Board  of  Trustees  and  a 
hard-working  library  staff,  with  a  well-balanced  collection 
of  almost  25,000  volumes  adapted  to  the  needs  of  its  con- 
stituency, with  a  first-class  library  plant  and  equipment, 
with  fifteen  branch  libraries  well  distributed  over  the  county, 
all  in  the  hands  of  good  custodians,  with  nearly  all  of  the 
113  schools  of  the  county  using  collections  of  books  during 
the  school  year,  with  scores  of  clubs,  societies  and  other 
organizations  working  in  harmony  with  the  library,  with 
an  annual  income  not  so  large  as  could  be  used  but  yet  an 
income  that  has  gradually  increased  with  the  years,  the 
library  is  ready  for  other  advance  steps. 

A  future  possibility  which  might  be  considered  would  be 
the  employment  of  a  library  field-worker,  which  would 
make  for  greater  progress,  since  his  work  would  be  that  of 
looking  after  the  outside  interests  of  the  library  throughout 
the  county  in  a  systematic  way.    A  library  field-worker,  to 


FUTURE  POSSIBILITIES  205 

be  an  unqualified  success,  would  have  to  understand  human 
nature,  be  well  educated,  possess  enthusiasm  for  his  work 
and  above  all  have  tact.  In  his  activities  he  would  take 
care  not  to  trespass  on  the  work  of  the  teacher  or  of  any 
organization,  nor  would  he  assume  any  of  the  prerogatives 
of  the  librarian  proper,  who  has  supervision  of  all  the  work 
of  the  library.  He  would  be  subject  to  the  direction  of  the 
librarian  the  same  as  any  other  member  of  the  staff  and  his 
work  should  be  in  perfect  harmony  with  the  policy  adopted 
by  the  Board  and  put  into  operation  by  the  librarian. 

He  would  make  frequent  visits  during  the  year  to  the 
fifteen  branches  of  the  library  and  in  all  possible  ways  assist 
them  in  their  efforts  to  do  better  work.  He  would  go 
among  the  schools  of  the  county  and  do  all  he  could  to  aid 
each  school  in  the  most  profitable  use  of  the  library.  He 
would  aim  to  develop  the  habit  of  reading  the  best  books 
and  promote  the  serviceability  of  the  library  in  those  parts 
of  the  county  that  might  lag  somewhat  behind  other  parts 
of  the  county.  He  would  cooperate  with  the  County  Fair, 
the  County  Chautauqua,  the  County  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  the  County 
Sunday  School  Association,  farmers'  and  teachers'  insti- 
tutes and  all  other  distinctively  county  organizations  that 
are  not  operated  for  a  profit  but  for  uplift  purposes. 

All  this  has  been  and  is  being  done  to  a  large  extent,  but 
with  the  aid  of  a  field-worker  it  could  be  done  more  effect- 
ively. 

There  are  great  possibilities  for  the  cooperation  of  the 
county  library  and  the  county  schools  in  the  field  of  debate 
work.  Many  teachers  of  the  district  schools,  both  young 
women  and  young  men,  frequently  have  in  their  schools 
spirited  debates  on  subjects  of  the  day.  These  are  always 
interesting  and  the  mere  announcement  of  a  debate  in  one 
of  the  school  houses  of  the  country  means  a  large  audience. 
The  demand  for  debate  material  at  the  library  is  continuous 
throughout  the  school  year.    The  collection  of  debate  books 


206  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

is  much  in  use  and  sometimes  books  are  temporarily  hidden 
by  too  zealous  contestants  that  their  opponents  may  suffer 
a  handicap.  There  is  also  a  constant  request  for  debate 
material  by  correspondence  and  the  librarian  sometimes 
finds  that  on  the  same  day  she  has  mailed  briefs  of  argu- 
ments on  the  opposing  sides  of  the  same  question  to  distant 
debaters. 

It  would  be  possible  to  arrange  for  all  the  townships  of 
the  county  to  have  annual  debates,  with  a  great  final  contest 
of  the  winners  at  the  county-seat  once  each  year.  There  is 
not  so  much  debating  as  there  was  some  years  ago,  and  yet 
there  is  more  demand  now  for  efficiency  in  public  speaking 
than  at  any  other  time  in  our  national  history.  Already 
eighteen  states  have  adopted  the  Initiative  and  Referendum 
and  have  made  representative  government  subordinate  to 
popular  rule.  In  these  states  the  i>eople  are  legislators. 
This  being  the  case,  it  is  incumbent  on  all  the  people  to 
inform  themselves  on  the  questions  of  the  day,  and  the 
spoken  word  has  always  been  and  will  ever  continue  to  be 
one  of  the  most  effective  means  of  instructing  the  people. 
It  is  necessary  then  to  develop  more  speakers  if  direct  legis- 
lation is  to  be  made  a  success,  and  there  is  no  better  way  to 
develop  speakers  than  by  means  of  debates.  A  rivalry 
among  the  townships  would  quickly  reflect  itself  in  all  of 
the  schools  of  the  county  and  the  result  would  be  the  devel- 
opment of  a  generation  of  men  and  women  who  would  be 
remarkably  at  home  before  an  audience.  At  the  same  time, 
the  people  of  the  various  communities  would  hear  and 
become  interested  in  arguments  on  the  issues  of  the  day 
demanding  their  attention. 

Last  fall  eleven  boys  belonging  to  the  Freshman  class  of 
the  Van  Wert  high  school  played  a  game  of  football  with 
eleven  boys  from  the  Freshman  class  of  the  high  school  of  a 
neighboring  town.  These  boys  were  only  from  thirteen  to 
sixteen  years  of  age,  but  their  playing  was  a  revelation.    Not 


X 

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FUTURE  POSSIBILITIES  207 

a  boy  was  hurt,  though  some  of  the  clever  plays  which  char- 
acterize the  games  of  the  college  elevens  these  boys  used 
with  the  dexterity  of  adults. 

If  boys,  under  the  spell  of  the  inspiration  that  comes  from 
the  colleges  and  universities,  can  be  trained  to  such  per- 
fection in  athletic  contests,  they  can  be  trained  to  a  high 
degree  of  proficiency  in  debates,  musical  performances,  dec- 
lamations, etc.,  if  the  inspiration  is  forthcoming,  and  the 
county  library  is  in  a  position  to  aid  in  supplying  this  inspi- 
ration to  the  county. 

Other  advance  steps  would  be  the  use  of  moving  pictures, 
especially  for  the  benefit  of  the  rural  schools  and  smaller 
county  towns,  and  cooperation  with  the  movements  in  the 
county  or  its  several  communities  which  express  the  higher 
social  interests.  Then,  too,  if  in  centralized  schools  or 
township  houses  provision  were  made  for  a  reading-room 
for  the  use  of  the  community,  the  county  library  could  most 
effectively  supply  the  books  and  aid  in  the  development  of 
both  township  and  county  spirit. 

THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY,  A  CLEARING  HOUSE  OF  BOOKS  * 

Every  inhabitant  of  the  United  States,  no  matter  how  far 
from  the  centers  of  population,  will  have  practically  as  good 
library  facilities  as  are  now  enjoyed  by  the  average  city 
dweller,  if  plans  for  the  establishment  of  a  new  type  of  book- 
distributing  agency  work  out  according  to  the  anticipations  of 
the  United  States  Commissioner  of  Education,  Dr.  P.  P. 
Claxton,  who  is  personally  interested  in  their  development.  As 
the  rural  population  of  the  United  States  numbers  about  55 
per  cent  of  the  total  population,  the  new  library  plan  may  have 
the  effect  of  doubling  the  effectiveness  of  libraries,  and  of 
raising  the  standard  of  culture  in  this  country  to  a  correspond- 
ing degree. 

The  basis  of  the  new  scheme  of  book  distribution  is  the 
establishment  of  libraries  supported  not  by  the  state,  city,  or 
town,  as  at  present,  but  by  the  county,  with  a  central  clearing- 
house and  branches  at  every  postoffice,  town-hall,  school,  or 

*Froni  the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education,  Washington,  D.  C. 


208  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

other  center  of  community  life.  Under  this  plan,  many  sec- 
tions of  the  country  which  at  present  have  no  libraries  will  be 
enabled  to  establish  them.  If  a  given  county  has  no  community 
large  enough  to  support  a  library  unaided,  the  county  library 
plan  will  enable  all  the  communities  to  club  their  resources  by 
levying  a  county  tax  for  library  purposes,  a  free  use  of  the 
books  so  obtained  being  insured  by  a  system  of  branches  main- 
tained at  common  meeting  places.  Thus  every  time  a  rural 
resident  goes  to  the  nearest  store,  or  every  time  his  child  goes 
to  school,  he  will  find  a  well-equipped  library  at  his  elbow. 

Like  the  traveling  libraries  maintained  by  a  number  of 
states,  the  county  library  aims  to  find  "  a  book  for  every  man, 
and  a  man  for  every  book."  Although  the  two  institutions 
have  much  in  common,  the  more  restricted  territory  covered  by 
the  county  library  allows  it  to  adapt  itself  more  closely  to  local 
needs  than  is  possible  for  the  state  book-distributing  agency. 

The  county  library  plan  has  already  been  put  into  successful 
operation  in  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio.     .     .     . 

"  I  consider  the  county  library  plan  an  important  step  in 
the  educational  development  of  this  country,"  said  Dr.  Clax- 
ton  yesterday.  "As  is  well  known,  the  schooling  of  most  per- 
sons is  of  such  short  duration  that  their  cultural  development 
must  be  obtained  principally  by  their  own  efforts  from  books, 
and  any  plan  which  will  increase  the  number  and  availability 
of  the  books  at  their  command  will  naturally  be  an  important 
factor  in  raising  the  standard  of  the  average  person's  educa- 
tion. 

"  Generally  speaking,  the  cities  of  the  United  States  are 
well  supplied  with  library  facilities.  However,  there  still 
remains  the  great  problem  of  giving  the  rural  citizen  the  same 
opportunities  of  contact  with  the  world  of  books  as  are  enjoyed 
by  his  city  brother.  Personally,  I  believe  that  the  inhabitants 
of  rural  districts  profit  even  more  from  reading  than  do  those 
who  live  in  our  centers  of  population.  My  own  experience, 
as  well  as  that  of  other  educators,  has  been  that  country 
people  read  better  books  than  town  folk;  they  read  better 
books,  and  get  more  out  of  them. 

"The  ultimate  effect  of  aiding  the  reading  habit  among 
the  rural  citizens,  therefore,  may  readily  be  not  only  to  increase 
the, number  of  readers  in  this  country  but  also  to  raise  the 
standard  of  reading,  and  consequently  the  standards  of  life 
and  culture." 


FUTURE  POSSIBILITIES  209 

Dr.  Claxton  went  on  to  say  that  his  advocacy  of  the 
county  library  was  based  on  his  personal  observation  of  the 
Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County,  Ohio,  which  is 
at  present  one  of  the  few  institutions  of  this  kind  in  the 
country.     .     .     . 

The  kind  of  books  read  by  the  country  people  of  Van 
Wert  County  are  of  an  unusually  high  character.     .     .     . 

Van  Wert  County  provides  that  the  whole  world  of  books 
is  brought  to  the  very  doorsteps  of  the  remotest  farmstead  in 
its  borders  by  a  clearing-house  system  of  libraries  which 
Commissioner  Qaxton  wishes  to  see  in  equally  successful 
operation  throughout  the  United  States. 


CHAPTER   XV 

TABLES  OF  STATISTICS 

WHILE  statistics  may,  in  a  measure,  be  self-explana- 
tory, they  are  also  frequently  misleading.  It  is 
therefore  necessary  to  bear  a  few  facts  in  mind  in  the  con- 
sideration of  the  tables  dealing  with  the  work  of  the  Brum- 
back  Library. 

1.  The  statistics  do  not  in  any  way  exaggerate  the  work 
but  rather  tend  to  underrate  results,  as  later  explanations 
will  show. 

2.  In  all  cases  it  should  be  remembered  that  the  rule 
allowing  but  two  borrowers'  cards  to  any  one  family 
remained  in  force  until  1908  and  necessarily  limited  the 
circulation  accordingly. 

3.  All  statistics  apply  only  to  books  taken  from  the  cen- 
tral library,  branches,  and  schools  to  the  homes,  and  do  not 
include  books  used  in  reference,  reading  and  school  rooms. 

4.  Finally,  the  work  of  the  library  cannot  as  fairly  be 
represented  by  figures  as  by  what  it  has  accomplished  in 
establishing  itself  and  in  making  its  resources  available 
throughout  the  entire  county. 

The  table  on  page  213  shows  11,070  registered  borrowers, 
who  are  not,  by  any  means,  all  the  borrowers  using  the  library. 

I,  This  number  does  not  include  those  borrowing  books 
from  the  county  school  libraries,  although  the  use  of  the 
books  in  the  schools  in  1913  represented  a  circulation  of 
21,773  volumes.  No  record  of  these  borrowers  had  ever  been 
sought  until  the  fall  of  1913,  when  the  names  of  the  pupils 
using  the  school  collections  were  obtained  from  the  teachers. 
In  checking  these  names  with  the  application  file  but  three 

210 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS  211 

out  of  392  are  found  registered  so  far.  Out  of  2,435  names, 
it  would  be  safe  to  say  that  2,400  have  never  been  registered 
as  borrowers. 

2.  All  residents  of  Delphos  taking  advantage  of  the  privi- 
leges of  their  public  library  may  use  the  books  and  periodicals 
furnished  by  the  Brumback  County  Library.  However, 
without  a  complicated  system  it  is  not  possible  to  determine 
just  how  many  Delphos  borrowers  chance  to  use  these  books. 
In  the  course  of  a  year  it  is  likely  that  every  one  of  them  will 
have  had  county  library  books  and  periodicals.  At  present 
the  number  of  Delphos  borrowers  is  1,035.  Of  this  number 
385  were  originally  registered  as  borrowers  of  the  Brumback 
branch.  This  would  leave  650  of  their  borrowers  using  the 
county  library  books  and  periodicals  of  whom  no  record  has 
been  kept. 

3.  It  does  not  include  as  borrowers  the  pupils  in  the  first 
four  grades  of  the  four  city  ward  schools,  whose  use  of  the 
books  of  the  sixteen  collections  in  the  school  year  1912-1913 
represented  a  circulation  of  5,732  volumes.  Since  the  654 
pupils  of  the  sixteen  school-classes  are  all  under  nine  years  of 
age,  they  are  not  registered  as  borrowers. 

4.  If  all  the  foregoing  were  added  to  the  registered  bor- 
rowers the  total  number  of  borrowers  would  be  14,774. 

Under  the  new  school  law  of  Ohio,  referred  to  in  the  pre- 
ceding chapter,  pages  192-193,  the  number  of  pupils  in  the 
rural  schools  of  the  county  that  will  be  library  borrowers  will 
be  greatly  increased,  since  the  Brumback  Library  will  have  a 
collection  of  at  least  fifty  books  in  every  one  of  the  loi  rural 
schools.  At  the  present  time  the  twelve  graded  schools  of 
the  county  have  library  collections.  So,  with  the  beginning 
of  next  fall  (1914),  when  the  school  law  goes  into  effect,  the 
Brumback  Library  as  headquarters  will  serve  the  book  needs 
of  113  schools,  and  all  the  6,000  pupils  of  the  county  will 
enjoy  library  privileges.  This  of  course  will  add  greatly  to 
the  constituency  of  the  library,  which  now  conservatively  rep- 
resents over  50  per  cent  of  the  county's  population. 

Reference  to  the  map  will  show  the  location  of  the  113 
schools,  as  well  as  of  the  fifteen  branches  and  the  four  Sun- 
day school  libraries.  And  a  study  of  the  map  will  reveal  the 
fact  that  there  is  not  a  section  of  the  country,  however 
remote,  that  will  not  enjoy  library  privileges. 

The  most  interesting  work  in  any  library  is  naturally  the 


212  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

work  with  the  schools,  since  pupils  respond  so  intelligently 
and  enthusiastically  to  the  helpful  stimuli  that  emanate  from 
the  library. 

A  recent  writer  told  of  a  high  school  girl  in  a  town  of  over 
5,000  inhabitants  that  did  not  have  a  free  public  library,  who, 
although  she  came  from  a  very  good  family  and  was  an  excel- 
lent student,  asserted  that  she  never  in  her  life  had  read  a 
single  book  outside  of  the  books  in  her  school  course. 

The  table  of  accessions  on  page  213  does  not  include  several 
thousand  unaccessioned  government  documents. 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS 


213 


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214  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

The  circulation  from  the  central  library  not  only  represents 
the  books  taken  by  Van  Wert  City  residents  and  by  the  pupils 
in  the  first  four  grades  of  the  four  ward  schools,  but  includes 
the  circulation  of  books  taken  by  some  of  the  residents  of  the 
county  outside  of  the  city  corporation.  Therefore,  the  total 
circulation  in  the  county  outside  of  Van  Wert  City  is  repre- 
sented by  that  of  the  county  stations  (14,124)  and  county 
schools  (21,773)  plus  some  of  the  central  library  circulation. 
Residents  of  the  county  living  outside  of  Van  Wert,  the 
county-seat,  are  coming  more  and  more  to  use  the  central 
library  itself,  since  the  more  general  use  of  electric  railways 
and  automobiles  permits  more  frequent  visits  to  the  central 
library  by  those  living  at  a  distance. 

The  circulation  of  the  county  schools  does  not  include  that 
of  the  Van  Wert  City  schools. 

In  1910  an  epidemic  of  a  contagious  disease  in  Van  Wert 
reduced  the  statistics  in  all  departments. 

In  1913  the  circulation  through  the  branches  and  county 
schools  was  somewhat  less  owing  to  the  spring  flood  which 
paralyzed  traffic  for  a  time  in  Ohio. 

Other  known  causes  have  at  times  affected  the  circulation 
in  the  county  as  a  whole  or  in  certain  of  its  localities.  One 
or  more  branches  are  sometimes  closed  for  a  period  pending 
change  of  location,  etc. 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS 


215 


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HUUU   H U U U   HUOU   HOOU 


216  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

In  considering  the  branch  libraries'  circulation  the  fact 
should  not  be  forgotten  that  the  many  school  libraries,  estab- 
lished in  1906,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  branches  may  have  had 
a  tendency  to  reduce  the  circulation  through  the  branches, 
since  the  children  naturally  used  the  former  more  freely.  It 
was  expected  that  the  school  libraries  would  largely  affect 
the  branch  circulation,  and  it  was  a  pleasing  surprise  to  find 
the  branches  holding  their  own  remarkably  well. 

In  1913,  pending  changes  made  in  business  rooms  where 
the  branches  are  located,  four  county  stations  were  closed  in 
the  aggregate  eight  months,  resulting  in  eight  months'  loss 
of  circulation. 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS 


217 


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218 


THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 


The  statistics  of  the  county  school  libraries  do  not  include 
those  of  the  Van  Wert  City  schools. 

Some  school  collections  are  retained  for  school  room  use 
only  and  no  statistics  of  these  are  reported. 

Much  of  the  loss  shown  for  1913  is  occasioned  by  the  flood 
conditions  in  the  spring  of  1913,  when,  through  the  country 
districts,  bridges  were  washed  out  and  roads  were  made  almost 
impassable. 

There  are  109  schools  in  the  county  outside  of  the  city  of 
Van  Wert :  loi  district  and  8  graded  schools. 


1906-07 

1907-08 

1908-09 

1909-10 

1910-11 

1911-12 

472 

658 

716 

863 

1.359 

2,238 

735 

1.184 

1,203 

1.040 

1.036 

4,469 

29 

28 

28 

26 

49 

95 

20 

22 

21 

18 

42 

70 

9 

6 

5 

8 

7 

22 

3,756 

3.658 

3.786 

3.709 

7,945 

22,497 

1912-13 


Volumes  in  county  school  col- 
lection*  

Volumes  sent  to  county 
schools 

Teachers  with  school  libraries 

County  district  school  li- 
braries   

County  graded  school  li- 
braries   

Circulation  through  school 
libraries 


4,257 
73t 

59 

14 

22,108 


•  Supplemented  by  works  from  main  collection  and  by  books  from  Ohio  State  Library, 
t  Teachers  with  school  libraries  (1913-14)  86. 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS 


219 


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THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 


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TABLES  OF  STATISTICS 


221 


STATISTICS    OF   COUNTY   SCHOOL-LIBRARIES    DEPARTMENT    FOR   THE 
SCHOOL  YEAR,  SEPTEMBER.  1912  — JUNE,  1913 


Township 


Harrison .  . . 
Hoaglin . . . . 
Jackson  * . . . 
Jennings.  . . 
Liberty .  . . . 
Pleasantt-  • 

Ridge 

Tully 

Union 

Washington 
Willshire... 
York 


County  Schools  with 
Collections 


District 


59 


Graded 


14 


Volumes  in 
Use 


91 

477 

69 
670 
414 
301 
653 
677 
416 
296 
223 


4.257 


Circulation 


323 
2.672 

432 
4.744 
2.608 

792 
3.378 
2.413 
2,020 
2.030 

696 


22,108 


*  Jackson  township  has  always  been  represented  hitherto  and  has  collections  at  the 
present  time. 

t  Van  Wert  city  schools  not  included. 


SUMMARY  OF  STATISTICS 

Area  of  Van  Wert  County  (square  miles) 

Area  of  Van  Wert  City  (acres) 

Population  of  Van  Wert  County  (1910  census) 

Population  of  Van  Wert  City 

Total  income  (1913) 

Per  cent  of  tax  income  per  capita  of  county  population 
Per  cent  of  income  devoted  to  books  and  periodicals 

(1913)     

Per  cent  of  income  for  binding  (1913) 

Per  cent  for  salaries  of  library  staff  (1913) 

Per  cent  for  salaries  (including  15  branch  librarians). 
Number  employees  on  full  time  for  10,000  population. . 

Total  volumes  accessioned  to  Jan.  i,  1914 

Volumes  added  in  1913 

Central  library   686 

Branch  department   209 

County  school  department yy 

Volumes  withdrawn  ( 1913)  


405 

2,080 

29,119 

7,157 

5,489.48 
.29 

.14 
•03 
•37 
.46 
1.72 

23.319 
972 


392 


222  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

*  Volumes  in  library  Jan.  i,  1914 20,282 

Per  cent  of  volumes  per  capita  of  county  population ...  .70 
Per  cent  of  volumes  loaned  per  capita  of  county  popu- 
lation      3.12 

Volumes  reserved    554 

Volumes  repaired 1.857 

Volumes  bound    117 

Volumes  rebound 237 

Total  number  borrowers,   50%   of  county 

population 14,774 

Registered  borrowers,  38% 11,070 

Central  library 7,854 

Branch  stations  3,216 

Unregistered  borrowers,   12% 3,704 

Active  borrowers,  32% 9,486 

Registered  5,782 

Active  but  unregistered 3,704 

New  borrowers  (1913) 684 

Van   Wert    (corporation)    residents....  343 

Rural  residents  using  Central  library. .        164 
County  residents  using   Branches 177         341 

Number  of  County  Branches 15 

Number  of  school  collections  in  use 89 

Van  Wert   City  schools 16 

County  district  schools 59 

County  graded  schools 14  73 

Volumes     sent     to     distributing     agencies 

(1913)    12,161 

Volumes  sent  to  County  stations 7,904 

Volumes  sent  to  County  schools 4,257 

Total  circulation  ( 1913) 90,853 

Central  library 54,956 

Adult  department   31,436 

Children's  department 17,788 

16  Van  Wert  school  collections 5,732 

15  County  stations   14,124 

73  County  school  collections 21,773 

Total  adult  fiction  38.24%;  adult  classed  9.78%;  juvenile  51.98% 

*  Several     thousand     unaccessioned     government     documents     not 
included. 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS  223 

Per  cents  in  relation  to  each  department's  totals  of  circulation. 

Adult  fiction  Adult  classed  Juvenile 

Central  library 45-15  12.05  42.80 

Branch  stations   57-03  12.58  30.39 

County  schools 1. 14  .36  98.50 

A  careful  study  of  the  table  representing  the  classes  of 
books  loaned  by  the  county  stations  and  by  the  central  library 
reveals  some  interesting  facts.  In  order  to  make  the  table 
a  comparative  one,  it  is  given  in  terms  of  percentage,  showing 
what  proportion  of  books  in  each  class  is  read. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  choice  of  books  by  the 
patrons  of  the  county  stations  is  limited  to  the  fixed  collec- 
tions sent  them,  each  one  hundred  books,  however,  being 
representative  of  all  classes  of  books  based  on  a  percentage 
scale  (see  p.  228).  At  the  same  time  the  patrons  of  the 
central  library  have  all  the  books  in  the  main  collection  to 
choose  from  and  this  also  represents  a  balanced  collection. 
But  when  the  larger  demand  made  upon  the  larger  collection 
of  books  of  the  main  library  is  considered  in  comparison  with 
the  smaller  demand  made  upon  the  smaller  collections  at 
the  stations,  the  choice  of  the  central  library  patrons  may  be 
almost  as  limited,  after  all,  as  the  choice  of  the  patrons  of  the 
county  stations. 

No  one  year  is  selected  as  the  basis  of  comparison,  but 
averages  for  nine  years,  1904-1912,  are  used.  These  are  given 
in  the  order  of  the  popularity  of  the  classes  read. 

COUNTY  STATIONS  CENTRAL   LIBRARY 

Fiction    54-36  Fiction   56.3 

Juvenile    30.98  Juvenile 30-I4 

Travel   2.73  Literature   2.7 

Biography   1.96  Travel    1.86 

Literature  1.90  History     1.40 

History    1.63  Biography   1.32 

Sociology 1. 12  Sociology    1.17 

Science    i.oi  Science    1.06 

Useful  Arts .86  Fine  Arts 93 

Fine  Arts 75  Useful  Arts 70 

Religion    66  Religion    56 

Philosophy    53  Philosophy    49 

General  works 08  General    works 41 

Philology    01  Philology    03 


224  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

On  the  basis  of  10,000  books  the  patrons  of  the  county  sta- 
tions read  87  more  of  travel,  64  more  of  biography,  23  more 
of  history,  16  more  of  useful  arts,  10  more  of  religion,  4 
more  of  philosophy,  84  more  of  juvenile;  80  fewer  of  litera- 
ture, 5  fewer  of  sociology,  5  fewer  of  science,  18  fewer  of 
fine  arts,  2  fewer  of  philology  and  194  fewer  of  fiction  than 
do  the  patrons  of  the  central  library. 

While  on  the  whole  the  books  read  and  the  popularity  of  the 
diflferent  classes  of  books  are  much  the  same  at  the  county  sta- 
tions as  at  the  central  library,  the  reading  done  by  patrons  of 
the  county  stations  is  of  a  somewhat  higher  grade,  especially 
when  the  fact  is  considered  that  they  do  not  have,  to  so 
large  an  extent,  the  stimulus  which  the  schools  and  clubs 
give  to  the  patrons  of  the  central  library. 

In  a  given  representative  collection  of  books  the  people  of 
the  country  and  the  people  of  the  town  would  select  and  read 
much  the  same  literature.  Since  human  nature  is  very  much 
the  same  everywhere,  farmers  as  a  class  possess  all  the  innate 
characteristics  of  any  other  body  of  men  and  women.  The 
general  reading  done  by  a  rural  county  is  no  doubt  similar  to 
that  of  an  urban  county,  barring  special  research  work  done 
in  the  cities  by  men  and  women  in  the  trades  and  professions. 
The  average  reader  in  both  country  and  town  is  looking  for 
something  entertaining  as  well  as  helpful.  The  average  reader 
likes  a  good  story  of  adventure,  and,  since  "  all  the  world  loves 
a  lover,"  he  enjoys  a  certain  amount  of  the  love  element  in  the 
story.  The  large  number  of  books  of  travel  read  shows  a 
desire  on  the  part  of  all  to  escape  from  accustomed  sights  and 
scenes  for  a  time  and  live  in  other  environments,  while  the 
popularity  of  biography  indicates  a  longing  to  view  life  from 
other  standpoints  and  for  a  period  to  forget  the  pressing  daily 
round  of  duties.  In  the  rural  county  the  people  are  indi- 
vidually as  different  from  one  another  as  city  dwellers  differ 
from  one  another,  and  represent  as  many  different  phases  of 
human  nature.  Just  so  the  reading  done  by  individuals  in 
a  rural  county  covers  all  fields  of  literature. 

In  fact,  the  tendency  of  the  cities  being  to  standardize  their 
inhabitants,  and  of  the  country  to  favor  the  growth  of  eccen- 
tricities and  the  development  of  personal  peculiarities,  tastes, 
etc.,  there  is  more  difference  among  the  latter  than  among  the 
former. 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS  225 

The  various  communities  of  the  county  differ  in  their  read- 
ing. One  branch  librarian  asks  for  historical  fiction,  another 
wants  the  latest  fiction,  another  calls  for  good  home  stories 
and  so  on. 

The  farmer  does  not  employ  his  leisure  time  reading  agri- 
cultural books  any  more  than  a  physician  spends  his  spare 
hours  with  medical  treatises.  But  he  does  read  and  consult 
them  frequently,  and,  as  the  need  arises,  makes  good  use  of 
them.  Those  desiring  books  on  agriculture  usually  apply  for 
them  at  the  central  library,  where  they  may  have  access  to  a 
larger  collection.  Some  agricultural  books,  especially  recent 
works  on  the  subject,  are  placed  in  the  collections  for  the 
county  stations  to  attract  the  attention  of  those  who  may  not 
know  of  the  resources  of  the  library  in  this  department,  and 
who  in  this  way  may  be  led  to  make  further  use  of  the  library's 
books.  Special  collections  of  agricultural  books  and  allied 
subjects  are  frequently  requested  and  sent  to  meetings  of 
farmers'  institutes  or  other  agricultural  societies. 

Recent  observation  shows  that  the  popular  fiction  read 
by  patrons  of  the  county  stations  covers  a  wide  range.  It 
includes  stories  of  the  West,  some  of  the  popular  ones  being 
those  by  Ralph  Connor  ("  The  Doctor,"  "  The  Prospector," 
"The  Sky  Pilot,"  etc.),  "Last  of  the  Chiefs,"  by  Altsheler, 
"  Wind  before  the  Dawn,"  by  Munger,  and  some  of  the 
Canadian  stories  by  Bindloss.  Other  popular  novels  are  "  A 
Gentleman  from  Indiana,"  "  A  Circuit  Rider's  Wife,"  "  Roast 
Beef  Medium,"  "  Wild  Olive,"  "  Illustrious  Prince,"  "  Man 
Higher  Up,"  "  Hiram  Golf's  Religion,"  and  an  occasional 
detective  story  such  as  Rinehart's  "  Man  in  Lower  Ten." 

Some  non-fiction  books  recently  noted  as  popular  are: 

Codd,  M.  J.    With  Evans  to  the  Pacific. 

Wright,  W.  H.     Grizzly  Bear. 

Sonnichsen,  Albert.     Confessions  of  a  Macedonian  Bandit. 

Gilliat,  Edward.    Heroes  of  Modern  Crusades. 

Forsythe,  G.  A.     Thrilling  Days  of  Army  Life. 

Hadley,  A.  T.    Education  of  the  American  Citizen. 

VanDyke,  H.  J.     Fisherman's  Luck. 

Munson,  J.  W.    Reminiscences  of  a  Mosby  Guerilla. 

Pittenger,  Wm.    Great  Locomotive  Chase. 

VanVorst,  Bessie.     Cry  of  the  Children. 


226  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Avary,  M.  L.    Virginia  Girl  in  the  Civil  War. 

Good,  Arthur.    Magical  Experiments. 

Paxon,  F.  L.     Last  American  Frontier. 

Harden,  O.  S.    Do  It  to  a  Finish. 

Burns,  E.  E.     Story  of  Great  Inventions. 

Evers,  J.  J.    Touching  Second. 

Binnie-Clark,  Georgina.    Summer  on  the  Canadian  Prairie. 

Edwardes,  Tickner.    Lift-Luck  on  Southern  Roads. 

Bronson,  E.  B.    Reminiscences  of  a  Ranchman. 

Henson,  M.  A.    Negro  Explorer  at  the  North  Pole. 

Franck,  H.  A.    Zone  Policeman  88. 

Grayson,  David.     Friendly  Road. 

Carl,  K.  A.    With  the  Dowager  Empress. 

Howard,  Arthur.     Man  Who  Bucked  Up. 

Stanley,  H.  M.     My  Dark  Companions. 

Doubleday,  Russel.    Gunner  Aboard  the  Yankee. 

Lindsay,  Maud.    Mother  Stories. 


Many  more  titles  might  be  added  to  this  list,  but  these  are 
enough  to  give  the  reader  an  idea  of  the  kind  of  books  that 
interest  the  people  living  in  the  villages  and  on  the  farms  of 
Van  Wert  County,  a  typical  county  of  the  great  Corn  Belt 
as  well  as  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

A  careful  study  of  the  books  read  by  the  country  patrons 
of  the  library  is  especially  inviting  to  the  student  of  Rural 
Life.  One  might  pursue  it  along  many  lines  with  pleasure 
and  profit.  In  a  recent  book  *  edited  by  Mr.  Joseph  K.  Hart, 
the  statement  f  is  made  by  one  of  the  contributors.  Miss 
Mary  E.  Downey,  that  the  average  collection  of  books  is  of 
a  "  motley "  character  and  may  not  be  considered  "  whole- 
some reading  for  the  developing  years  of  childhood." 

While  this  may  be  true  in  many  rural  homes  that  have 
never  had  access  to  the  resources  of  a  first-class  library,  it  is 
quite  likely  that  an  investigation  of  the  rural  homes  enjoying 
library  service  would  reveal  two  very  interesting  facts:  (i) 
that  the  members  of  such  homes  select  books  for  purchase 

*  "  Educational  Resources  of  Villages  and  Rural  Communities,"  1913. 
t  See  chapter  entitled  "  The  Intellectual  Life  of  the  Community," 
page  199. 


TABLES  OF  STATISTICS  227 

with  unusual  discrimination;  and  (2)  that  they  have  as  a 
rule  larger  home  libraries. 

The  more  good  books  one  comes  into  contact  with,  the  bet- 
ter books  one  buys,  and  the  more  books  one  wants. 

Good  books  have  a  way  of  displacing  "  cheap  literature," 
and,  because  of  the  fact  that  they  wonderfully  broaden  the 
horizon  of  the  reader,  they  inevitably  lead  to  the  habit  of 
acquiring  books  for  purposes  of  information,  pleasure  and 
culture. 


228 


THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 


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PART  III 

THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY  MOVEMENT 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 


CHAPTER  XVI 

LIBRARY  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 

rr^HE  trend  of  the  past  decade,  in  the  library  activities  of 
-*■  the  country,  has  been  along  the  line  of  rural  extension, 
with  the  idea  of  placing  books  in  the  homes  of  those  living 
on  the  farms  as  well  as  of  those  living  in  the  towns  and 
cities.  In  earlier  years  books  were  accessible  only  to  the 
few.  Today  a  majority  of  the  people  enjoy  library  priv- 
ileges, and  the  drift  of  library  legislation  in  the  several 
states  indicates  a  purpose  to  make  provision  for  the  country 
people,  many  of  whom  still  have  no  opportunities  to  get 
books,  except  through  purchase. 

All  the  states  of  the  Union  now  have  state  libraries. 
Some  of  these  take  a  very  important  part  in  the  educational 
and  cultural  development  of  their  respective  states;  others 
work  along  more  special  lines,  being  limited  in  their  activ- 
ities; still  others  are  all  too  narrow  and  restricted  in  their 
work,  and  a  few  represent  little  more  than  mere  reposi- 
tories of  books. 

All  of  the  states  except  the  following,  viz.,  Arizona, 
Florida,  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Montana,  Nevada,  New 
Mexico,  Oklahoma,  South  Carolina,  West  Virginia  and 
Wyoming  have  library  commissions.  The  object  of  these 
commissions  is  to  promote  the  library  interests  of  their 
respective  states.  Some  of  the  commissions,  because  of 
liberal  appropriations  and  the  power  granted  them  through 
progressive  legislation,  are  doing  wonderful  work,  thereby 
placing  their  states  in  the  front  rank  in  library  matters; 
others,  because  of  small  appropriations  and  inability  to 
secure  progressive  laws,  are  handicapped  in  their  work. 

233 


234  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Available  statistics  indicate  that  Wisconsin  spends  more 
money  per  capita  through  her  state  library  and  library  com- 
mission than  any  other  state  in  the  Union,  and  consequently 
of  all  the  states  does  most  for  her  people  in  library  matters. 
Wisconsin  belongs  to  the  growing  group  of  states  that  are 
getting  the  best  results  in  the  furnishing  of  library  service. 
Moreover,  she  is  progressive  not  only  along  library  lines 
but  in  all  things,  and  her  many  reforms  and  innovations 
for  the  benefit  of  the  whole  people  are  worthy  of  the  most 
careful  study. 

One  of  the  many  functions  of  state  library  commissions 
is  the  organization  and  management  of  traveling  library 
systems.  Traveling  libraries  are  usually  sent  in  small  col- 
lections of  twenty-five  or  fifty  volumes,  and  the  expenses 
are  paid  wholly  or  in  part  by  the  state  or  altogether  by  the 
recipients.  Such  libraries  consist  of  general  and  special 
collections.  The  former  are  for  the  most  part  available 
to  all  the  people ;  while  the  latter  consist  largely  of  libraries 
for  children,  for  foreigners,  for  the  blind,  for  study  clubs, 
for  granges,  for  public  and  private  schools  and  for  Sunday 
schools  and  churches.  During  the  year  191 2- 13  there  were 
sent  out  in  New  York,  the  state  in  which  the  traveling 
library  system  seems  to  be  most  highly  developed,  "  1,114 
traveling  libraries  containing  45,651  books."* 

Making  the  county  the  unit  represents  a  comparatively 
new  movement  in  the  library  history  of  this  country.  In 
Part  I  an  account  is  given  of  the  origin  of  the  first  county 
library  law  passed  by  a  state  (Ohio  law),  and  in  Part  II  a 
detailed  statement  is  presented  of  the  first  county  library 
organized  under  this  law  (The  Brumback  Library  of  Van 
Wert  County).  This  part  is  devoted  to  a  consideration  of 
the  county  library  movement  in  the  United  States;  there- 
fore it  is  necessary  only  to  mention  here  that  California 

♦  From  a  letter  received  from  the  Secretary  of  the  State  Library 
Commission  of  New  York. 


LIBRARY  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE  U.  S.  235 

has  made  more  rapid  progress  in  the  establishment  of  county 
Hbraries  than  any  other  state  in  the  Union, 

Quite  a  number  of  states  have  passed  township  Hbrary 
laws,  which  enable  the  people  of  townships  to  tax  them- 
selves for  library  purposes.  The  state  in  which  the  town- 
ship has  been  used  most  extensively  as  a  unit  is  Indiana. 
The  Indiana  township  law  passed  a  number  of  years  ago, 
modified  in  1909  and  again  revised  in  191 1,  provides  for 
the  cooperation  of  a  city  or  town  and  one  or  more  town- 
ships in  library  work,  and  for  the  establishment  of  libraries 
by  townships,  singly  or  in  groups,  independent  of  cities  or 
towns.  A  liberal  tax  has  made  the  plan  successful  to  the 
extent  that  already  "  sixty  towns  and  cities  have  united 
with  seventy  townships  to  support  libraries  under  the  town- 
ship law,"  *  But  this  system  lacks  the  strength  and  unity 
of  the  county  system  with  its  larger  resources  and  more 
centralized  effort. 

The  establishment  of  municipal  libraries  has  reached  its 
greatest  development  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  which 
"  is  unique  in  having  a  library  in  every  city  and  town  of 
the  state,  with  one  exception  —  Newbury  —  and  that  town 
has  library  privileges  in  Newburyport,  one  and  one-half 
miles  distant,  making  appropriations  toward  its  mainte- 
nance." f  A  law  passed  in  191 1  permits  all  city  or  town 
libraries  to  loan  to  one  another,  and  since  there  are  over  six 
million  volumes  in  the  free  public  libraries  of  the  state, 
about  two  volumes  to  each  inhabitant,  it  can  be  seen  that 
the  residents  of  the  cities  and  towns  of  Massachusetts  should 
be  well-read. 

School  district  libraries  are  receiving  the  greatest  en- 
couragement and  most  adequate  support  in  the  state  of 
Oregon,  where  "  the  county  courts  of  the  several  counties 

♦From  a  letter  received  from  the  Secretary  of  the  State  Library 
Commission  of  Indiana. 

fFrom  a  letter  received  from  the  Secretary  of  the  State  Library 
Commission   of    Massachusetts. 


236  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

.  .  .  are  .  .  .  required  to  levy,  at  the  same  time 
that  they  levy  other  taxes,  a  tax  upon  all  the  taxable  prop- 
erty in  their  county  for  school  library  purposes,  which  shall 
aggregate  an  amount  which  shall  not  be  less  than  ten  cents 
per  capita  for  each  and  all  the  children  within  the  county 
between  the  ages  of  four  and  twenty  years  .  .  ."  * 
The  only  counties  excepted  are  those  having  a  population  of 
over  100,000,  and  since  Oregon  has  only  one  such  county, 
this  law  applies  to  all  the  counties  of  the  state  except  Mult- 
nomah, the  county-seat  of  which  is  Portland. 

The  library  history  of  the  country  represented  by  the 
work  of  the  state  libraries  and  library  commissions  and 
by  county,  township,  municipal  and  school  district  libraries 
does  not  include  all  the  library  activities  of  the  people.  Mil- 
lions of  books  belong  to  university,  college  and  other  school 
collections.  Besides,  there  are  many  endowed,  special  and 
subscription  libraries.  Then,  mention  should  be  made  of 
the  libraries  of  clubs,  societies,  learned  bodies,  etc.  The 
chief  interest  of  the  people,  however,  concerns  itself  with 
the  larger  library  work  of  the  country,  that  of  the  state, 
county,  township,  municipality  and  school  district,  which  is 
supported  by  all  the  people  and  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  all  the  people. 

Unquestionably  every  state  should  have  a  state  library 
and  a  library  commission.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  all  the 
states  do  have  state  libraries,  although  some  of  them  ac- 
complish much  less  than  others.  All  the  states,  except  the 
eleven  previously  mentioned  in  this  chapter,  have  library 
commissions.  It  is  very  unfortunate  for  a  state  if  its  legis- 
lature fails  to  create  and  make  an  adequate  appropriation 
for  the  maintenance  of  a  first-class  library  commission. 

Likewise,  it  would  seem  desirable  that  all  the  states  should 
have  county,  township  and  municipal  library  laws  adapted 
to  their  respective  needs.    No  two  states  are  exactly  alike, 

♦From  the  library  laws  of  the  state  of  Oregon. 


LIBRARY  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE  U.  S.  237 

and  there  are  few  cases  where  the  laws  of  one  state  would 
fit  perfectly  into  the  conditions  of  another  state.  Some 
states  desire  to  emphasize  the  county  as  a  unit,  as  is  the 
case  in  California,  and  to  adapt  all  libraries  organized  under 
other  laws  to  the  county  system.  Then,  some  states  make 
the  township  the  predominating  unit,  as  Indiana  does,  and 
strive  to  bring  library  privileges  to  all  the  people  of  the  state 
through  township  extension.  Finally,  a  number  of  states, 
following  the  lead  of  Massachusetts,  make  the  municipality 
the  library  center  and  bend  every  effort  to  reach  as  many  of 
the  people  as  possible  from  the  town  and  city. 

No  state  makes  a  school  district  law  the  most  important 
library  law  on  its  statute  books,  but  a  school  district  library 
law  that  supplements  the  other  library  laws  of  a  state  is 
certainly  conducive  to  the  progress  of  the  state  along  educa- 
tional lines. 

Recent  experience  points  to  the  fact  that  of  the  library 
laws  thus  far  enacted  the  county  library  law  seems  to  pro- 
vide best  for  the  extension  of  library  privileges  to  all  the 
people.  And  a  careful  study  of  the  library  movement  of 
the  country  indicates  that,  if  all  the  people  are  to  be  reached 
in  the  matter  of  library  service,  the  county  should  be  made 
the  unit  in  library  legislation.  States  which  emphasize  the 
other  library  laws  mentioned  in  this  chapter  are  doing  ex- 
cellent work,  but  in  none  of  these  states  is  it  likely  that  all 
the  people  will  enjoy  library  privileges  to  the  extent  that 
would  be  possible  under  a  county  law.  The  status  of  agri- 
culture in  Massachusetts,  where  all  the  towns  and  cities  have 
libraries,  leads  one  to  believe  that  the  situation  might  be 
different  if  more  attention  uere  to  be  directed  to  the  im- 
provement of  rural  life,  and  the  purpose  of  the  county 
library  is  to  emphasize  its  work  among  the  people  on  the 
farms.  The  last  annual  report  of  the  State  Library  Commis- 
sion of  Indiana,  in  which  the  township  extension  idea  has 
been  most  highly  developed,   shows  that  but   one   rural 


238  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

resident  out  of  every  eleven  in  the  state  enjoys  library 
service.  And  the  few  people  reached  compared  with  the 
great  rural  population  of  the  state  of  New  York,  wherein 
the  traveling  library  under  the  direction  of  the  State  Library 
Commission  seems  to  be  more  widely  used  than  in  any  other 
state  of  the  Union,  indicates  the  futility  of  trying,  by  means 
of  a  traveling  library  system  operated  from  the  capital  of 
the  state,  to  supply  farm  homes  with  library  privileges. 

During  the  year  1913  the  legislatures  of  forty-four  of  the 
forty-eight  states  were  in  session.  Thirty-one  of  these  acted 
on  library  matters,  and  their  work  may  be  summarized  in 
the  words  of  Mr.  W.  R.  Eastman. 

Library  commissions  were  created  in  two  states.  The  func- 
tions and  titles  of  some  existing  commissions  were  changed, 
marking  a  clear  tendency  toward  giving  them  a  larger  share  of 
responsibility  for  the  state  library  and  its  work.  There  was 
also  a  gratifying  increase  of  commission  funds  in  ten  states. 

In  several  states  the  library  laws  are  being  adjusted  and 
improved  by  careful  revision. 

The  limit  for  library  taxation,  where  any  such  limit  exists, 
is  being  questioned  and  restated. 

Rural  library  extension  is  receiving  more  nearly  the  atten- 
tion it  deserves.  County  systems  are  being  brought  into 
operation  and  the  power  to  contract  for  library  facilities  is 
extended. 

In  three  states  the  state  library  is  being  reorganized  for 
more  active  service  to  the  public,  and  the  subject  of  legisla- 
tive reference  is  being  pushed  to  the  front  in  four  states. 

A  new  retirement  pension  scheme  for  librarians  appears  in 
one  state.* 

It  might  be  stated  here  by  way  of  conclusion  that  a  hasty 
study  of  the  library  legislation  of  the  country  covering  the 
past  twelve  or  fourteen  years  reveals  several  interesting 
facts : 

( I )  A  tendency  to  make  state  libraries  more  serviceable. 

♦"Library  Legislation  in  1913,"  W.  R.  Eastman,  The  Library 
Journal  for  January,  1914. 


LIBRARY  ACTIVITIES  IN  THE  U.  S.  239 

(2)  A  gradual  increase  in  the  number  of  state  library 
commissions  and  in  the  amounts  of  the  appropriations  for 
their  work. 

(3)  The  passage  of  many  measures  that  place  on  a  more 
substantial  basis  hundreds  of  the  libraries  of  the  country 
organized  under  county,  township,  municipal  or  school  dis- 
trict library  laws. 

(4)  A  steady  improvement  in  the  matter  of  drafting  bills 
for  passage  as  a  result  of  the  establishment  of  legislative 
reference  departments  in  a  number  of  the  states. 

(5)  The  gathering  of  greater  and  greater  momentum 
from  year  to  year  on  the  part  of  the  rural  extension  library 
movement. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS 

nnHE  county  library  laws  are  given  in  the  order  of  their 
■■'    passage. 

I.  Ohio,  1898-1906 

As  stated  in  Part  I  of  this  book,  on  page  25,  the  Ohio 
Legislature,  in  the  month  of  April,  1898,  passed  a  county 
library  law,  which  made  possible  the  acceptance  of  a  county 
library  building  by  Van  Wert  County,  under  the  will  of 
John  San  ford  Brumback.  This  law  is  given  in  full  on 
page  24.  In  the  year  1906  it  was  modified  by  the  Legis- 
lature to  broaden  it  for  more  general  use  and  now  reads 
thus: 

The  county  commissioners  may  receive  a  bequest  or  a  gift 
of  a  building  or  of  money  or  property  wherewith  to  construct 
a  building  for  or  to  furnish  and  equip  a  county  public  library. 
They  may  accept  the  gift  of  a  library  or  of  its  use  for  a  term 
of  years  or  permanently,  and  may  agree  on  behalf  of  such 
county  to  provide  and  maintain  such  a  library, 

A  library  association  or  other  organization,  owning  or  having 
the  full  management  or  control  of  a  library,  or  a  board  of 
trustees  appointed  by  authority  of  law  and  having  the  manage- 
ment or  control  of  a  library  free  to  the  whole  or  a  part  of  a 
county,  may  contract  with  the  county  commissioners  for  the 
use  thereof  by  the  people  of  such  county. 

A  county  accepting  such  bequest  or  gift,  or  entering  into 
such  agreement,  shall  faithfully  maintain  and  provide  for  such 
library.    At  their  June  session  each  year,  the  commissioners 

240 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  241 

thereof  may  levy  a  tax  not  to  exceed  a  half -mill  on  each  dollar 
of  the  taxable  property  in  such  county.  The  fund  derived 
from  such  levy  shall  be  a  special  fund,  known  as  the  library 
fund,  and  shall  be  used  only  for  the  purpose  contemplated  in 
this  section. 

2.  Wyoming,  i8Qp-ipoi-ipo/ 

According  to  the  Wyoming  county  library  law, 

When  the  county  commissioners  of  any  county  have  received 
proper  and  sufficient  guarantees,  whether  in  the  form  of  con- 
veyances, or  bonds  of  citizens,  or  associations  or  corporations, 
that  a  suitable  place  will  be  permanently  furnished  for  the 
protection  and  use  of  a  public  library  as  a  condition  precedent 
to  their  own  action,  under  the  provisions  of  this  chapter,  it 
shall  be  their  duty  to  levy  annually  a  tax  of  not  less  than  one- 
eighth  of  a  mill  nor  more  than  one-half  of  a  mill  on  the  dollar 
on  all  taxable  property  in  the  county,  for  the  establishment  and 
maintenance  of  a  public  library  to  be  located  at  the  county-seat 
of  such  county.  And  whenever  a  suitable  place  is  furnished 
without  rent  for  the  use  of  any  county  library,  the  directors 
thereof  shall  have  the  power  to  pay  such  incidental  expenses 
as  may  be  necessary  in  keeping  in  repair  and  properly  jani- 
tored,  lighted,  heated  and  cared  for,  the  place  so  furnished, 
and  to  pay  the  expense  thereof  out  of  the  taxes  levied  here- 
under. 

The  law  provides  that  a  board  of  three  members  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  county  commissioners  to  supervise  the 
work  of  the  county  library.  Said  board  may  receive  dona- 
tions of  real  estate,  money  or  books  for  county  library  pur- 
poses. County  libraries  are  free  to  all  the  residents  of  the 
county.  The  three  trustees  shall  make  their  report  to  tlie 
commissioners  once  each  year. 

5.  Wisconsin,  ipoi 

The  Wisconsin  county  library  law  provides  that 

Any  county  may  receive  by  devise,  bequests  or  gifts  of  land, 
buildings,  money,  books  or  other  property,  for  the  purpose 
of  establishing  a  public  library  for  the  county,  and  may  enter 


242  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

into  an  agreement  to  maintain  a  public  library  in  consideration 
thereof,  and  shall  be  bound  to  faithfully  perform  such  agree- 
ment. In  such  case  the  said  board  of  libraries  have  full 
power  to  properly  administer  the  same. 

According  to  the  law  the  board  of  libraries  of  a  county 
consists  of  five  members,  who  are  elected  and  who  have 
charge  of  all  the  county  library  activities,  including  the 
app>ointment  of  a  supervising  librarian,  whose  salary  is  lim- 
ited to  $50  a  year.  Their  report  is  made  annually  to  the 
county  board  of  supervisors.  The  first  appropriation  for 
a  county  may  be  $500,  although  thereafter  it  must  not 
exceed  $200  a  year. 

4.  Minnesota,  ipo^ 

The  Minnesota  county  library  law  permits  any  library 
board  to 

contract  with  the  board  of  county  commissioners  of  the 
county  in  which  the  library  is  situated  or  of  adjacent  counties, 
or  with  the  village  trustees  or  governing  body  of  any  neighbor- 
ing town,  city  or  village  to  loan  the  books  of  said  library,  either 
singly  or  in  traveling  libraries,  to  the  residents  of  said  county, 
town,  city  or  village,  upon  such  terms  as  shall  be  agreed  upon 
in  such  contract. 

Under  the  law,  boards  of  county  commissioners  make 
appropriations  for  the  maintenance  of  county  work,  but  in 
no  case  has  the  appropriation  for  any  county  exceeded  $500 
a  year.    In  some  cases  it  is  as  low  as  $150. 

In  the  Seventh  Annual  Report  of  the  Minnesota  Library 
Commission  is  the  following  statement  relative  to  the  law : 

This  law  authorizes  two  distinct  plans  (i)  that  of  county 
extension,  whereby  a  centrally  located  library  may  extend 
its  privileges  to  all  residents  of  the  county  upon  contract  made 
with  the  county  commissioners,  and  (2)  that  of  township  ex- 
tension, whereby  a  library  may  extend  its  privileges  to  adjoin- 
ing townships  or  villages  upon  contract  made  with  the 
governing  body  of  the  township  or  village. 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  243 

Although  good  results  have  been  obtained  through  the  opera- 
tion of  this  law,  comparison  with  work  in  other  states  seems 
to  indicate  that  a  more  permanent  system  could  be  established 
if  the  law  provided  for  a  definite  basis  of  taxation  for  the 
county  library,  and  accordingly  a  bill  authorizing  such  taxation 
will  be  introduced  in  the  19 13  session  of  the  Legislature. 

Unfortunately  this  bill  never  got  beyond  the  committee 
to  which  it  was  referred. 

5.  Missouri,  ipop 

The  county  library  law  of  Missouri  contains  the  following 
provisions : 

The  county  court  in  any  county  wherein  is  situated  an  incor- 
porated city  containing  a  free  public  library,  whenever  peti- 
tioned by  one  hundred  or  more  tax-paying  citizens  of  said 
city  and  one  hundred  or  more  tax-paying  citizens  of  said 
county,  residing  outside  of  said  city,  for  the  use  of  the  citizens 
of  said  county  residing  outside  of  said  city  of  said  library, 
shall  have  the  right  to  contract  with  the  officers  of  said  library 
for  such  use  thereof  by  said  citizens  of  said  county  residing 
outside  of  the  city,  and  to  appropriate  moneys  from  the  county 
revenue  of  said  county  therefor,  and  thereafter  to  continue 
such  contract  or  renewals  thereof  from  year  to  year :  provided 
that  the  annual  amount  so  contracted  to  be  paid  and  appro- 
priated shall  not  exceed  three  per  cent  of  the  county  revenue 
for  the  year  out  of  which  payment  is  to  be  made. 

6.  California,  ipop-ipii 

Under  the  county  library  law  of  California,  the  board 
of  supervisors  of  a  county  may  issue  bonds  to  buy  a  lot  and 
build  a  library  building,  may  receive  the  donation  of  a  lot 
and  building  or  may  enter  into  a  contract  with  the  trustees 
of  a  library  of  any  incorporated  town  or  city  to  manage  a 
county  library,  and  may  levy  a  one  mill  tax  for  library  pur- 
poses on  all  the  taxable  property  of  the  county  excepting 
that  of  towns,  cities  or  library  districts  maintaining  libraries 
of  their  own  and  not  choosing  to  be  a  part  of  the  county 


244  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

system. —  One  county  may  join  another  county  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  county  library. 

There  is  a  state  board  of  library  examiners  consisting 
of  the  state  librarian,  the  San  Francisco  city  and  county 
librarian  and  the  Los  Angeles  librarian,  which  passes  on  the 
qualification  of  all  persons  desiring  to  become  county 
librarians  or  library  employees,  issuing  three  grades  of  cer- 
tificates, each  good  for  five  years.  This  board  is  appointed 
for  four  years  and  is  removable  only  for  cause. 

All  county  librarians  are  under  the  supervision  of  the 
state  librarian,  to  whom  annual  reports  are  made  and  who 
calls  a  convention  of  county  librarians  once  a  year. 

County  teachers'  and  county  law  libraries  may  be  united 
with  county  libraries. 

The  state  cooperates  with  county  libraries  ( i )  by  making 
them  large  initial  loans  of  books  for  the  purpose  of  getting 
them  started,  (2)  by  supplying  them  with  photographic 
views,  and  (3)  by  placing  at  their  service  books  of  a  spe- 
cial nature  that  they  would  not  care  to  purchase. 

7.  Maryland,  ipio 

Under  the  provisions  of  the  library  laws  of  Maryland  the 
state  library  commission  may  expend  for  each  new  library 
established  in  the  state  one  hundred  dollars  for  books. 

The  boards  of  county  commissioners  of  the  several  coun- 
ties have  the  right  to  establish  and  maintain  central  free 
public  libraries  at  all  the  county-seats  of  their  respective 
counties  with  branches.  For  this  purpose  an  annual  tax, 
not  exceeding  five  cents  on  each  one  hundred  dollars  of  the 
assessed  valuation  of  the  taxable  property  of  the  county, 
may  be  levied. 

Nine  directors  are  chosen  by  county  commissioners  for 
county  libraries.  The  directors  have  the  power  to  provide 
or  erect  buildings  for  library  purposes,  and  have  charge  of 
all  gifts,  donations,  devises,  bequests  and  legacies,  even  to 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  245 

the  extent  of  selling  any  of  the  same,  unless  this  is  forbid- 
den by  the  terms  of  the  gifts,  donations,  devises,  bequests 
or  legacies. 

The  county  library  law  applies  to  all  counties  of  the 
state  except  Baltimore  County. 

8.  Washington^  ipio-ipis 

The  county  library  law  of  the  state  of  Washington  con- 
tains the  following  provisions : 

The  county  superintendent  of  each  county  of  this  state  may 
establish  a  circulating  library  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the 
pupils  of  the  common  schools  of  such  county. 

A  tax  not  exceeding  one-tenth  of  one  mill  may  be  levied 
by  the  county  commissioners  for  this  purpose. 

Liberal  provisions  may  be  made  by  all  free  libraries  of 
whatever  character  to  loan  books  to  non-residents  and  to 
exchange  books  with  one  another. 

In  the  year  191 3  the  following  paragraph  was  added  to 
the  library  laws  of  the  state: 

By  a  majority  vote  at  any  election,  any  county,  city,  vil- 
lage, town  or  other  body  authorized  to  levy  and  collect  taxes, 
or  by  a  vote  of  its  county  commissioners  on  petition  of  100 
voters  voting  at  the  last  election,  any  county,  or  by  a  vote  of 
its  common  council,  any  city  may  establish  and  maintain  a 
free  public  library  with  or  without  branches,  either  by  itself 
or  in  connection  with  any  other  body  authorized  to  maintain 
such  library.  Whenever  twenty-five  tax-payers  shall  peti- 
tion, the  question  of  providing  facilities  shall  be  voted  on  at 
the  next  election  or  meeting  at  which  taxes  may  be  levied: 
provided,  that  due  public  notice  shall  have  been  given  of  the 
proposed  action. 

The  librarian  of  the  Washington  State  Library  stated  in 
a  letter  written  July  3,  19 13,  that  they  had  hoped  to  secure 
a  county  library  law  modeled  after  the  California  county 
library  law,  but  only  succeeded  in  getting  the  section  above 
quoted. 


246  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

p.  Oregon,  igii 

The  following  are  the  most  important  provisions  of  the 
Oregon  county  library  law : 

Any  county  of  the  state  may  assess,  levy  and  collect  a 
special  tax,  not  to  exceed  one-half  mill  on  all  the  taxable 
property  in  the  county,  for  establishing  and  maintaining  a 
county  library  within  the  county  at  the  county-seat.  If, 
however,  there  should  be  a  library  at  the  county-seat, 
arrangements  may  be  made  with  the  same  to  perform  the 
functions  of  a  county  library. 

All  library  funds  are  in  the  hands  of  the  county  court. 

Counties  having  a  population  of  50,000  or  more  may  levy 
a  special  tax  of  one  and  one-half  mills  to  erect  a  county 
library  building  in  the  county-seat. 

10.  Nebraska,  ipii 

The  county  library  law  of  Nebraska  reads  thus  in  con- 
densed form: 

The  city  council  of  any  city,  the  board  of  trustees  of  any 
incorporated  village,  the  county  board  of  any  county  and 
the  electors  of  any  township  at  their  annual  meeting,  shall 
have  the  power  to  establish  a  public  library  free  for  the 
use  of  the  inhabitants  of  such  city,  village,  county  or  town- 
ship, or  to  contract  for  the  use  of  a  public  library  already 
established,  and  may  levy  a  tax  of  not  more  than  three  mills 
on  the  dollar  annually  to  be  levied  and  collected  in  like  man- 
ner as  other  taxes  in  said  city,  village,  county  or  township 
and  to  be  known  as  the  library  fund :  provided,  that  when 
any  county  board  makes  a  levy  for  a  county  library,  it 
shall  omit  from  the  levy  of  the  library  tax  all  property  within 
the  limits  of  any  city,  village,  or  township  in  said  county, 
which  already  maintains  a  library  by  public  tax ;  provided, 
further,  that  before  establishing  such  county  library,  or  levy- 
ing such  tax,  the  county  board  shall  submit  the  question  to 
the  voters  of  such  county,  and  a  majority  of  the  voters 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  247 

voting  thereon  shall  have  authorized  the  establishment  of 
such  county  library  and  the  levying  of  such  tax.  Such  ques- 
tion shall  be  submitted  at  a  general  election  only. 

The  law  provides  that  a  county  library  board  of  five  shall 
be  appointed  by  the  county  board.  It  may  contract  with  a 
library  in  its  own  county  or  in  any  adjoining  county  to  fur- 
nish it  library  privileges. 

Each  library  board  has  the  power  to  purchase  or  lease 
ground  and  to  erect,  lease  or  occupy  an  appropriate  build- 
ing for  library  purposes. 

II.  New  York,  ipii 

The  following  is  the  New  York  county  library  law : 

A  board  of  supervisors  of  a  county  may  contract  with  the 
trustees  of  a  public  library  within  such  county  or  with  any 
other  municipal  or  district  body  having  control  of  such  a 
library  to  furnish  library  privileges  to  the  people  of  the 
county,  under  such  terms  and  conditions  as  may  be  stated  in 
such  contract.  The  amount  agreed  to  be  paid  for  such  priv- 
ileges under  such  contract  shall  be  a  charge  upon  the  county 
and  shall  be  paid  in  the  same  manner  as  other  county 
charges. 

12.  Iowa,  ipi^ 

The  following  is  the  substance  of  the  county  library  law 
of  Iowa: 

Any  free  public  library  may  contract  with  any  school  cor- 
poration, township,  town,  city,  or  county  wherein  the  said 
library  is  located,  whether  such  school  corporation,  town- 
ship, town  or  city  be  in  the  same  county  in  which  the 
library  is  located  or  in  an  adjoining  county,  for  the  free 
use  of  said  library  by  the  residents  of  such  school  corpora- 
tion, township,  town,  city  or  county  by  one  or  more  of  the 
following  methods  in  whole  or  in  part : 

( 1 )  Through  direct  loans  to  all  on  equal  terms. 

(2)  By  the  establishment  of  depositories. 


248  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

(3)  By  the  use  of  wagons  or  other  conveyances. 

(4)  By  organizing  branch  Hbraries. 

Contracts  remain  in  force  five  years  unless  terminated  by 
a  majority  vote  of  the  electors, 

A  tax  of  not  to  exceed  one  mill  shall  be  levied  annually 
for  library  purposes  after  the  execution  of  a  library  contract. 

Towns  and  cities  may  be  excluded  from  a  county  tax  for 
library  purposes  if  they  desire,  but  in  that  event  they  do  not 
participate  in  the  county  library  service. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  DISCUSSED 

nr\  HE  first  thought  suggested  by  a  study  of  the  preceding 
■*•  chapter  is  that  most  of  the  county  hbrary  laws  have 
been  passed  within  very  recent  years.  This  is  a  source  of 
great  encouragement  to  the  friends  of  the  county  library 
movement  because  it  indicates  that  although  much  time  was 
required  to  arouse  public  sentiment  on  the  importance  of 
the  movement,  perseverance  has  in  many  cases  been 
rewarded. 

It  is  also  to  be  noticed  from  a  perusal  of  the  preceding 
chapter  that  the  county  library  laws  of  the  twelve  states 
show  some  marked  similarities  and  some  marked  differences. 
All  except  three  of  these  states,  viz.,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota 
and  New  York,  provide  for  a  county  tax.  In  these  three 
states  the  county  commissioners  are  permitted  to  make 
appropriations,  which  in  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota  have  a 
limit  of  $500  annually.  In  Missouri  the  maximum  amount 
provided  for  county  library  purposes  is  3%  of  the  county's 
total  revenue.  In  Ohio,  Maryland  and  Oregon  the  tax 
shall  not  exceed  one-half  mill,  in  Wyoming  it  shall  not  ex- 
ceed one-half  mill  nor  be  less  than  one-eighth  of  a  mill,  and 
in  Washington  it  shall  not  exceed  one-tenth  of  a  mill  on  all 
the  taxable  property  of  the  county.  But  in  Washington  the 
proceeds  are  used  only  for  school  libraries.  In  California 
and  Iowa  the  tax  shall  not  exceed  one  mill  and  in  Nebraska 
it  shall  not  exceed  three  mills  on  all  the  unexempted  taxable 
property  of  the  county.  In  these  three  states  under  certain 
conditions  parts  of  the  county  may  be  exempted  from  the 

249 


250  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

library  tax,  although  no  exempted  territory  is  given  library 
service. 

The  great  difference  in  the  rates  of  taxation  for  library 
purposes  does  not  necessarily  mean  that  some  states  provide 
larger  revenues  than  other  states,  since  no  two  states  in  the 
Union  are  on  exactly  the  same  taxation  basis.  Most  of  the 
states  still  cling  to  the  old  uniform  rule  or  so-called  general 
property  tax,  which  provides  for  the  taxation  of  all  prop- 
erty according  to  its  money  value,  but  they  differ  greatly 
in  their  appraisement  of  proi)erty  with  a  resulting  variation 
in  tax  rates.  A  few  states,  like  Ohio,  for  example,  insist 
on  all  real  estate  going  on  the  tax  duplicate  at  its  actual 
value,  which  makes  the  rate  low  and  encourages  owners  to 
make  liberal  returns  of  personal  property.  Other  states 
appraise  real  estate  below  its  actual  value,  which  makes  the 
rate  high  and  has  a  tendency  to  cause  owners  of  personal 
property  to  withhold  much  of  it.  So  it  is  apparent  that  a 
levy  for  library  purposes  in  one  state  cannot  well  be  com- 
pared with  a  levy  in  another  state. 

The  first  essential  in  the  case  of  a  county  library,  after 
its  maintenance  has  been  provided  for,  is  a  building  for  its 
home.  The  most  widely  used  method  of  establishing  a 
county  library  is  for  the  commissioners  of  a  county,  in  which 
a  county  library  is  desired,  to  enter  into  an  agreement  with 
the  trustees  of  some  library  in  the  county  to  assume  the 
management  of  the  county  library.  This  plan  may  be 
adopted  in  Ohio,  Minnesota,  California,  Oregon,  Nebraska, 
New  York  and  Iowa.  In  four  states,  viz.,  Ohio,  Wisconsin, 
California  and  Wyoming,  county  commissioners  are  au- 
thorized to  receive  bequests,  etc.,  for  county  library  pur- 
poses, such  as  lots,  buildings,  or  money  with  which  to  buy 
a  lot  and  erect  a  building,  and  are  required  on  the  accept- 
ance of  any  such  gift  to  provide  for  county  library  main- 
tenance. A  few  states  may  issue  bonds  to  build  a  county 
library  building.    California  may  do  this  in  any  county  in 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  DISCUSSED         251 

which  the  need  may  arise.  Oregon  may  issue  bonds  for 
building  purposes  only  in  counties  with  a  population  of 
50,000  or  more.  In  Nebraska  the  county  commissioners, 
and  in  Maryland  the  library  directors,  of  a  county  library 
are  given  the  power  to  purchase  grounds  and  erect  county 
library  buildings,  but  in  neither  state  is  the  law  very  explicit. 

In  Minnesota,  Nebraska  and  California,  if  no  existing 
library  in  the  county  can  be  found  to  assume  the  manage- 
ment of  a  proposed  county  library,  the  county  commissioners 
may  enter  into  an  arrangement  with  some  library  in  an 
adjoining  county  to  furnish  library  privileges.  While  this 
might  prove  a  good  temporary  expedient,  it  should  not  be 
considered  permanent,  for  the  reason  that  a  county  should 
be  independent  in  all  of  its  activities  and  allowed  to  develop 
as  a  unit.  In  California  one  county  is  permitted  to  unite 
with  another  in  the  establishment  of  a  county  library.  This 
likewise  might  prove  a  good  arrangement  for  the  time  being, 
but  as  soon  as  a  county  is  able  to  take  care  of  itself  in  all 
things  it  should  sever  the  ties  that  bind  it  to  a  neighboring 
county  and  operate  single-handed  for  its  own  good. 

The  states  of  Oregon,  Wyoming  and  Maryland  allow  the 
establishment  of  county  libraries  only  at  county-seat  towns 
or  cities.  While  the  county-seat  is  as  a  rule  to  be  preferred, 
this  requirement  would  seem  to  be  inadvisable,  for  the  rea- 
son that  there  are  some  county-seats  not  so  well  suited  for 
the  location  of  a  county  library  as  other  cities  or  towns  in 
the  counties.  Since  the  main  purpose  of  a  county  library  is 
to  furnish  library  service  to  all  parts  of  a  county,  the  most 
advantageously  located  town  or  city  of  a  county,  from  the 
standpoint  of  accessibility,  should  be  the  center  from  which 
county  library  activities  should  radiate.  There  are  other 
factors  that  enter  into  the  selection  of  a  county  library 
location,  but  it  is  believed  the  law  should  leave  the  selection 
open. 

The  states  of  Missouri,  Nebraska  and  Washington  plac? 


252  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

a  large  obstacle  in  the  way  of  the  establishment  of  a  county 
library  by  requiring  the  matter  to  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of 
the  people.  The  result  is,  none  of  these  three  states  has  a 
county  library  organized  under  its  county  library  law.  The 
experience  of  the  counties  that  for  years  have  had  county 
libraries  is,  that  while  in  the  beginning  there  may  be  some 
objection  to  taxing  a  county  for  county  library  purposes,  in 
the  end  objection  disappears  and  counties  are  as  willingly 
taxed  for  library  purposes  as  for  school  purposes.  This 
being  the  rule,  it  is  inexpedient  to  make  it  so  difficult  to  get 
a  county  library  that  even  the  most  courageous  and  enthusi- 
astic shrink  from  the  undertaking. 

California  stands  alone  in  having  a  state  board  of  library 
examiners  and  in  making  eligible  to  county  library  positions 
only  such  persons  as  receive  certificates  from  the  board. 
This  may  prove  to  be  an  excellent  provision.  Time  will 
show  whether  it  is  best  for  a  state  to  restrict  itself  in  the 
appointment  of  county  librarians  to  the  limited  number  of 
persons  who  have  passed  the  county  library  examination  in 
the  state. 

The  position  of  county  librarian  in  any  state,  and  espe- 
cially in  states  in  which  ample  provision  is  made  by  taxation 
for  a  large  work,  is  one  that  is  very  difficult  to  fill.  What  is 
desired  is  not  alone  a  person  who  can  pass  a  brilliant  exami- 
nation, but  a  person  who  has  executive  ability  with  an 
appreciation  of  rural  life  in  its  manifold  activities;  a  per- 
son who  has  a  superior  knowledge  of  books  and  library 
science  and  is  capable  of  increasing  a  library's  circulation 
coincidentally  with  a  raising  of  the  standard  of  the  books 
purchased ;  a  person  who  is  possessed  of  tact  and  can  inspire 
enthusiasm  in  a  working  force  and  the  custodians  of  branch 
libraries  as  well  as  among  scores  of  county  school  teachers, 
whose  work  means  much  to  the  future  educational  and  cul- 
tural standards  of  a  county.  The  position  of  county 
librarian  is  so  very  important  that  the  whole  country  should 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  DISCUSSED         253 

be  laid  under  contribution  in  the  selection  of  the  best  avail- 
able persons. 

It  is  seen  that  in  the  matter  of  county  library  trustees  the 
laws  of  the  several  states  differ  considerably.  Several  of 
the  states  make  no  provision  for  the  selection  of  trustees, 
leaving  the  matter  open.  In  the  other  states  the  rule  is,  the 
county  commissioners  appoint  the  trustees.  The  number 
varies  from  three  in  Wyoming  to  nine  in  Maryland.  Wis- 
consin is  the  only  state  that  elects  its  trustees.  Experience 
recommends  appointment  and  suggests  that  the  number  be 
five  or  seven.  Moreover,  to  eliminate  the  danger  of  poli- 
tics entering  into  appointments  it  has  proved  satisfactory  to 
have  the  trustees  selected  by  different  representative  bodies 
in  the  county. 

A  study  of  the  twelve  laws  suggests  two  provisions  that 
should  be  embodied  in  every  county  library  law. 

(i)  Every  county  library  law  should  provide  for  a 
county  tax  either  on  all  or  on  a  greater  portion  of  the  tax- 
able property  of  the  county,  preferably  on  all  the  taxable 
property  of  the  county  in  order  that  the  county  unit  may 
not  be  broken  up,  to  preserve  which  in  county  development 
is  one  of  the  chief  purposes  of  the  county  library.* 

Furthermore,  towns,  cities  and  townships  having  libraries 
receive  in  many  cases  support  inadequate  for  efficient  library 
service  and  the  building  up  of  well-balanced  libraries.  If 
on  the  other  hand  they  cooperate  with  a  county  library, 
they  have  the  benefit  of  a  suj>erior  county  librarian,  they 
have  more  and  better  books  at  their  disposal,  they  have 
access  to  a  complete  reference  department,  and  standards 
are  raised.  The  small  extra  tax  is  nominal  and  the  added 
advantages  are  worth  many  times  the  cost.  Of  course  a 
county  library  with  untaxed  and  unserved  sections  is  to  be 

*  It  is  likely  that  none  of  the  county  library  laws  would  provide  for 
tax-exempted  areas  in  counties,  if  it  were  not  for  the  fact  that  exist- 
ing libraries  in  county  subdivisions  are  not  always  willing  to  join  in 
the  county  work. 


254  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

preferred  to  no  county  library  at  all,  but  a  county  library 
having  the  county  as  a  perfect  unit  is  much  better  for  the 
county  as  well  as  the  library. 

(2)  Every  county  library  law  should  provide  that  the 
county  commissioners  of  a  county  may  enter  into  an  agree- 
ment with  the  library  trustees  of  some  established  library 
in  the  county  to  furnish  the  county  library  service.  This  is 
the  easiest  way  to  secure  a  county  library,  and  such  a  county 
library  is  to  be  preferred  to  no  county  library.  However,  it 
is  much  better  if  the  law  permits  a  county  so  desiring  to 
erect  its  own  library  building. 

A  state  having  these  fundamental  provisions  in  its  county 
library  law  would  have  a  workable  law  that  would,  if  libra- 
ries were  to  be  organized  under  it,  promote  the  library 
movement  in  the  state. 

The  county  library  movement  has  for  its  chief  ideal  the 
betterment  of  all  the  people.  It  is  a  movement  that  is  in 
perfect  accord  and  harmony  with  the  progressive  tenden- 
cies of  the  age.  It  is  a  democratic  movement.  Within  the 
past  ten  or  twelve  years,  eighteen  states  in  the  Union  have 
embodied  in  their  organic  laws  the  principle  of  the  Initiative 
and  Referendum.  It  is  a  matter  of  interest  that  of  the 
twelve  states  that  have  passed  county  library  laws,  six,  viz., 
Oregon,  Nebraska,  Ohio,  California,  Missouri  and  Wash- 
ington, are  Initiative  and  Referendum  states ;  two,  Wiscon- 
sin and  Minnesota,  have  taken  the  preliminary  steps  in  the 
matter  of  adopting  such  a  constitutional  amendment;  one, 
Wyoming,  would  have  direct  legislation  as  a  i>art  of  its  con- 
stitution, according  to  a  report  from  the  state,  but  for  a 
recognized  defect  in  its  election  laws ;  and  three.  New  York, 
Maryland  and  Iowa,  have  not  the  Initiative  and  Referen- 
dum. To  recapitulate:  of  the  eighteen  direct  legislation 
states,  six  are  county  library  states,  and  the  six  will  be 
increased  to  nine  by  the  addition  of  the  three  states  just 
mentioned.    So  that  of  the  twelve  county  library  states  nine 


COUNTY  LIBRARY  LAWS  DISCUSSED         255 

will  belong  to  the  twenty-one  Initiative  and  Referendum 
states. 

There  is  great  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  the  desirability 
of  the  Initiative  and  Referendum  for  the  states.  Whether 
in  the  end  the  voice  of  the  whole  people  will  unqualifiedly 
sanction  the  subordination  of  representative  government  is 
a  matter  of  much  speculation  and  must  be  left  to  the  future. 
But  as  to  the  desirability  of  the  extension  of  library  service 
to  all  the  people  there  is  unanimity  of  opinion,  and  the 
future  will  unquestionably  endorse  the  sentiment  of  the 
present  on  this  important  matter. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

THE  COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 

I.  Ohio,  i8p8-ipo6 

OHIO  is  called  the  pioneer  state  in  county  library  work. 
It  is  noted  on  page  270  that  Indiana  passed  a  primitive 
county  library  law  in  181 6  and  that  there  were  several 
county  libraries  organized  under  this  law.  But  the  law 
was  long  ago  discarded  and  none  of  the  libraries  organized 
under  it  has  survived.  In  Wyoming  the  Territorial  Legis- 
lature passed  a  county  library  law  in  1886,  but  the  real 
county  library  movement  in  Wyoming  was  not  inaugurated 
until  the  early  years  of  the  present  century,  and,  besides, 
the  purpose  of  the  original  law,  three  times  amended  since 
its  passage,  was  not  so  much  to  establish  a  rural  library 
system  as  to  give  the  towns  and  cities  more  money  for 
library  maintenance.  The  ten  states  that  have  passed  county 
library  laws  since  1898  got  their  inspiration  from  Ohio  and 
this  is  why  Ohio  is  known  as  the  pioneer  state  in  county 
library  work. 

The  Brumback  Library  established  under  the  Ohio  law  is 
called  the  pioneer  county  library.  On  page  15  it  is  seen 
that  J.  S.  Brumback  contemplated  the  building  of  a  county 
library  long  before  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1897;  and 
after  his  death  provision  was  found  in  his  will  for  such  a 
library.  His  will  is  dated  March  31,  1897.  The  Bill  (Sen- 
ate Bill  No.  435)  empowering  county  commissioners  to 
receive  bequests,  etc.,  for  county  library  buildings  and  to 
bind  counties  to  maintain  such  buildings  (sometimes  called 
"  The  Van  Wert  Bill  "  and  applicable  to  all  of  Ohio's  coun- 

256 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  257 

ties)  was  drafted  several  months  before  it  was  introduced 
in  the  Senate,  and  appeared  in  a  number  of  the  leading  daily 
papers  of  the  state.  It  was  introduced  in  the  Senate  March 
25,  1898,  and  became  a  law  April  26,  1898.  The  Cincinnati 
Special  Bill  (House  Bill  No.  753),  under  the  provisions  of 
which  only  two  counties  of  the  state  can  establish  county 
libraries  —  Hamilton  and  Cuyahoga  —  was  introduced  in 
the  House  April  i,  1898,  and  became  a  law  April  21,  1898. 
The  preceding  statement  of  facts  seems  to  justify  the 
Brumback  Library's  use  of  the  title  "  Pioneer  County 
Library  of  the  United  States,"  since  an  investigation  of  the 
claims  of  all  the  county  libraries  of  the  United  States  would 
indicate  that  no  other  county  library  in  the  country,  except- 
ing the  Hamilton  County  Library,  has  ever  laid  claim  to 
priority. 

The  Jewett  Norris  Library,  of  Trenton,  Mo.,  and  the 
Warren  County  Library,  of  Monmouth,  111.,  are  much  older 
than  the  Brumback  Library,  but  they  are  county  libraries 
only  in  name.  The  Jewett  Norris  Library  has  always  per- 
mitted residents  of  the  county  to  secure  books  free,  but  it 
has  never  made  any  effort  to  extend  its  privileges  to  the 
rural  districts  of  Grundy  County,  and  hence  is  not  unlike 
hundreds  of  other  libraries  whose  service  covers  so  large  a 
territory  that  residents  from  far  and  wide  enjoy  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  libraries.  The  Warren  County  Library 
charges  all  its  patrons  a  yearly  fee.  The  fact  that  its 
service  is  limited  to  those  who  pay  for  it  really  excludes  it 
from  consideration  in  the  history  of  a  great  free  public  li- 
brary movement  in  the  country.  Neither  of  these  libraries 
is  supported  by  a  county  tax  or  any  other  kind  of  tax,  both 
being  endowed  libraries. 

In  this  connection,  the  Washington  County  Library  of 
Hagerstown,  Md.,  is  mentioned.  This  library  had  its  origin 
in  1898  and  opened  its  doors  to  the  public  in  190 1.  In  point 
of  time  it  comes  a  little  later  than  the  two  pioneer  libraries 


258  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

of  Van  Wert  and  Hamilton  counties,  Ohio,  but  the  char- 
acter of  its  work  is  such  that  it  is  fairly  entitled  to  a  place 
beside  these  two  libraries  in  the  activities  that  have  led  to 
the  successful  inauguration  of  a  great  library  movement. 

The  Brumback  Library,  the  Hamilton  County  Library, 
the  Jewett  Norris  Library,  the  Warren  County  Library 
and  the  Washington  County  Library  are  briefly  considered 
here  together  that  the  reader  may  form  a  clear  conception 
of  the  beginnings  of  the  county  library  movement  in  the 
United  States. 

The  Brumback  Library  having  already  been  considered 
at  length,  a  discussion  of  the  other  county  libraries  of  Ohio 
follows.  Although  many  counties  of  the  state  have  at  dif- 
ferent times  taken  the  preliminary  steps  in  the  establish- 
ment of  county  libraries,  yet  the  number  of  such  libraries 
remained  two  until  recent  months.  In  the  year  191 3,  the 
following  county  libraries  were  started :  the  Paulding  County 
Library,  of  Paulding;  the  Richland  County  Library,  of 
Mansfield;  the  Green  County  Library,  of  Xenia;  the  Erie 
County  Library,  of  Sandusky;  and  the  Ross  County 
Library,  of  Chillicothe.  The  Paulding  County  Library  is 
a  $40,000  gift  of  Andrew  Carnegie  and  requires  a  minimum 
income  of  $4,000  annually  for  maintenance.  The  other  four 
are  operated  through  the  libraries  of  their  county-seats. 
Some  statistics  from  these  libraries  are  given  in  the  last 
chapter.  At  the  present  writing  there  is  considerable  county 
library  agitation  in  the  state  and  more  than  a  score  of  coun- 
ties are  making  efforts  to  secure  county  libraries.  Another 
decade  ought  to  see  many  of  the  eighty-eight  counties  of 
the  state  possessed  of  county  libraries. 

Ohio  has  one  private  county  library,  The  Birchard 
Library,  which  was  given  to  Sandusky  County  by  Mr. 
Birchard.  However,  it  is  stated :  "  county  extension  work 
has  never  been  undertaken;  nor  has  it  been  made  generally 
known  that  the  library  belongs  to  the  county." 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  259 

The  Hamilton  County  Library  was  originally  the  Cin- 
cinnati Library,  which  was  established  by  the  city  board 
of  education  in  1855  and  consequently  is  one  of  the  first 
free  public  libraries  in  the  United  States.  It  became  the 
Hamilton  County  Library  under  a  special  law  passed  by 
the  Legislature  on  the  21st  day  of  April,  1898.  It  has 
550,756  books,  pamphlets  and  pictures  on  its  shelves  and  its 
last  annual  circulation  of  books,  pamphlets  and  pictures  was 
1,939,433.  Its  books  number  443,126  and  its  19 12  circu- 
lation of  books  alone  amounted  to  1,534,883.  The  library 
is  supported  by  a  county  tax  of  .273  of  a  mill  on  each  dol- 
lar of  taxable  property  in  Hamilton  County,  and  the  annual 
income  is  about  $170,000.  The  population  of  Cincinnati  is 
364,463  and  of  Hamilton  County  460,732.  A  great  many 
branches  and  numerous  collections  of  various  kinds  provide 
the  whole  of  the  county  with  the  very  best  of  library  service. 

These  figures  indicate  that  the  Hamilton  County  Library 
is  doing  a  wonderful  work.  Of  course  this  is  a  city  county 
(the  area  being  407  square  miles  and  the  number  of  inhabi- 
tants to  the  square  mile  being  1,132)  and  demonstrates  that 
there  is  not  a  city  in  the  country  that  should  not  extend  its 
library  service  to  the  whole  county.  There  are  several 
reasons  for  its  advisability  based  on  the  experience  of  Cin- 
cinnati in  her  extension  work. 

Library  service  in  the  suburbs  and  surrounding  country 
tends  to  encourage  the  building  of  dwellings  far  enough 
from  the  heart  of  the  city  to  make  possible  the  ownership  of 
a  little  ground  for  cultivation,  and  the  enjoyment  of  pure 
air  and  a  wholesome  environment.  If  the  person  doing 
business  in  the  city  has  all  the  advantages  of  city  life  in 
the  country  he  will  surely  live  in  the  country.  Rousseau 
says,  "  Men  were  never  meant  to  be  heaped  together  in  ant- 
hills." One  of  the  very  greatest  privileges  of  the  city  is 
access  to  a  great  library.  Highly  trained  librarians,  large 
numbers  of  books,  etc.,  etc.,  are  not  possible  in  suburban 


260  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

towns  or  rural  districts  in  large  city  counties  unless  the 
county  is  a  unit  in  library  work. 

If  the  privileges  and  advantages  (and  what  is  a  greater 
privilege  and  advantage  than  a  great  library?)  of  the  city 
are  transferred  to  the  country,  fiat  life  is  in  a  measure 
changed  into  the  life  of  the  private,  separate  home,  the 
birth  rate  among  the  very  people  from  whom  superior  chil- 
dren may  be  expected  is  increased,  and  there  is  greater 
stimulus  to  intellectual  and  religious  activity,  since  a  quiet 
environment  is  more  conducive  than  a  noisy  one  to  intel- 
lectual and  spiritual  development. 

The  people  should  be  made  contented,  happy  and  pros- 
perous in  the  suburbs  and  remoter  districts  of  city  counties, 
as  well  as  on  the  farms  in  the  rural  counties,  and  one  of  the 
best  means  to  this  laudable  end  is  to  supply  them  with  the 
best  library  service  that  the  country  affords. 

A  detailed  study  of  the  work  of  the  Hamilton  County 
Library  would  reveal  as  many  interesting  and  valuable  facts 
as  the  detailed  study  of  the  work  of  the  Brumback  Library 
of  Van  Wert  County  has  revealed.  The  former  is  a  study 
of  suburban  life  with  library  privileges;  the  latter  is  a 
study  of  rural  life  with  library  privileges. 

2.  Wyoming,  iSpp-ipoi-ipo/ 

Wyoming  has  been  a  state  since  1890.  Four  years  before 
it  became  a  state  its  Territorial  Legislature  passed  a 
library  law  which  contained  some  county  features,  but  at 
that  time  the  state  had  possibly  not  over  50,000  people  scat- 
tered over  its  97,594  miles  of  territory,  its  towns  were 
very  small  and  widely  remote  from  one  another,  and  there 
was  no  county  life  in  the  proper  sense  of  the  term.  The 
purpose  of  none  of  the  county  libraries  has  ever  been  to 
emphasize,  even  in  a  limited  way,  the  extension  of  library 
service  to  the  rural  inhabitants  (of  whom  there  are  compar- 
atively few  even  now  in  the  state),  but  to  raise  as  much 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  261 

money  as  possible  for  the  support  of  county-seat  libraries. 
In  1899  the  law  was  modified,  and  it  was  in  accordance 
with  this  law  (revised  in  1901  and  1907)  that  the  nine  Car- 
negie county  libraries  now  in  the  state  were  organized.  It 
is  noted  that  the  first  was  established  in  1900,  and  the 
returns  from  these  libraries  indicate  that  all  of  them  were 
organized  simultaneously  as  city  and  county  libraries,  al- 
though several  of  them  operated  under  the  name  of  county 
libraries  before  1900. 

The  state  of  Wyoming  is  a  unique  phenomenon  in  the 
county  library  movement  of  the  nation.  It  is  one  of  the 
last  states  one  would  exi>ect  to  pass  a  county  library  law, 
since  the  whole  state  contains  a  population  of  only  145, 
965.  It  has  no  county  so  small  as  Rhode  Island,  and  several 
counties  that  are  larger  than  some  of  the  other  states.  Al- 
though little  work  has  thus  far  been  done  in  the  way  of  rural 
extension,  some  of  the  libraries  reporting  no  work  of  this 
character,  the  opportunities  of  aiding  isolated  schools  and 
remote  trading-centers,  and  of  establishing  traveling  libra- 
ries for  the  purpose  of  reaching  all  the  people  of  the  state 
at  little  expense  are  excellent.  It  is  expected  that  Wyoming 
will  be  the  first  state  in  the  Union  that  can  boast  of  the 
fact  that  all  its  people  contribute  toward  and  enjoy  library 
privileges.  Wyoming  has  made  a  great  start  and  deserves 
recognition  accordingly  at  the  hands  of  the  library  world. 

Wyoming  has  nine  counties  with  libraries  and  six  with- 
out; and  the  likelihood  is  that  these  will  soon  take  advan- 
tage of  the  law  and  also  establish  county  libraries.  The  sta- 
tistics of  the  nine  libraries  will  be  found  in  Chapter  XXII. 

5.  Wisconsin^  ipoi 
Regarding  the  libraries  that  have  availed  themselves  of 
the  provisions  of  the  Wisconsin  county  library  law,  the 
secretary  of  the  Wisconsin  Free  Library  Commission,  Hon. 
M.  S.  Dudgeon,  makes  this  statement  in  a  letter  dated  April 
30,  1913* 


262  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  give  you  the  names  of  all  the 
libraries  in  our  state  which  extend  library  privileges  in  whole 
or  in  part  to  the  surrounding  country.  Some  time  ago  we  sent 
out  an  inquiry  to  one  hundred  libraries  relative  to  their  serv- 
ice to  county  residents.  Seventy-one  replied.  Of  these 
seventy-one,  forty-four  granted  free  privileges  to  country 
people;  twenty-four  granted  full  privileges  upon  the  payment 
of  a  small  fee,  usually  about  one  dollar;  two  reported  that 
they  had  not  granted  any  such  privileges  under  any  circum- 
stances, and  one  reported  that  they  had  no  application  from 
country  people. 

The  letter  of  the  State  Library  Commissioner  indicates 
that  they  are  beginning  to  do  a  great  work  in  the  state,  and 
though  no  statistics  have  been  received  from  the  forty-four 
libraries  that  grant  free  library  privileges  to  country  people, 
yet  it  is  believed  that  few  states  in  the  Union  reach  more 
people  in  the  country  with  library  service  than  Wisconsin. 

The  Wisconsin  law,  like  those  of  Minnesota  and  New 
York,  cannot  be  considered  a  satisfactory  law,  since  it  does 
not  permit  a  county  tax  for  library  purposes.  But  the  time 
is  not  far  distant  when  all  three  of  these  states  will  embody 
the  tax  feature  in  their  county  library  laws  and  thereby 
make  them  much  more  serviceable. 

4.  Minnesota,  IQ05 

Minnesota  has  eleven  counties  that  receive  appropriations 
from  the  county  commissioners  for  the  support  of  county 
library  work.  A  study  of  the  statistics  of  these  libraries 
shows  that  few  of  them  receive  sufficient  funds  to  do  the 
work  of  a  county  library  effectively.  But  the  figures  indi- 
cate that  good  work  is  being  done,  and,  when  public  senti- 
ment is  strong  enough  to  secure  the  passage  of  a  more 
serviceable  county  library  law,  Minnesota  will  be  prepared 
through  what  has  already  been  accomplished  in  the  eleven 
counties  for  a  vigorous  county  library  movement.  The 
statistics  of  the  eleven  county  libraries  will  be  found  in 
Chapter  XXII. 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  263 

5.  Missouri,  ipop 

The  secretary  of  the  Missouri  Library  Commission,  imder 
date  of  May  27,  1913,  writes: 

The  Hbraries  of  Carthage,  Fulton  and  Sedalia,  being  county- 
seat  hbraries,  consider  their  resources  at  the  service  of  the 
people  of  the  county  and  have  some  liberal  rules  concerning 
the  holding  of  cards  by  county  borrowers;  no  fee  is 
charged. —  None  of  our  counties  have  as  yet  taken  advantage 
of  the  county  library  law. 

However,  Missouri  has  a  library  that  has  been  in  existence 
since  1890  which  permits  books  to  circulate  throughout  the 
county.  It  is  called  the  Jewett  Norris  Library  and  is  located 
in  Trenton.  The  building  is  valued  at  $25,cxx)  and  the 
equipment  at  $10,000.  The  library  was  founded  by  Jewett 
Norris,  who  likewise  endowed  it,  creating  a  fund  of  $15,000. 
Aside  from  the  income  from  this  endowment  the  library 
receives  some  aid  from  the  Trenton  School  District,  under 
whose  control  it  has  been  operated  from  the  beginning. 
The  librarian  states  that  the  library  and  its  equipment  really 
belong  to  the  School  District  and  city  of  Trenton,  although 
there  is  no  tax  levy  of  any  kind  for  its  support.  The  num- 
ber of  volumes  in  the  library  is  6,910  and  the  last  annual 
circulation  was  10,000.  Although  the  library  is  free  to  all 
the  residents  of  Grundy  County,  no  work  of  any  sort  is  done 
outside  of  the  library  itself.  Hence,  residents  of  the  county 
who  would  avail  themselves  of  the  privileges  of  the  library 
must  come  to  the  library.  The  population  of  Trenton  is 
7,000  and  that  of  Grundy  County  18,000.  The  county  has 
an  area  of  433  square  miles. 

6.  California,  ipop-ipil 

California  has  twenty-two  county  libraries.  News  Notes 
of  California  Libraries  *  says  that  "  inquiries  have  come 

♦  Vol.  8,  No.  3,  July,  1913. 


264  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

in  from  nearly  every  county  asking  that  some  one  be  sent 
to  help  in  county  library  organization."  So  it  looks  as  if 
it  would  not  be  long  before  nearly  all  the  fifty-eight  coun- 
ties of  the  state  would  have  county  libraries.  All  the  twenty- 
two  county  libraries  thus  far  established  were  organized 
under  the  law  of  1909  (amended  in  191 1)  except  the  San 
Francisco  City  and  County  Library  and  the  Sacramento 
County  Library.  The  former  as  a  city  library  was  estab- 
lished in  1878,  and  since  the  city  and  county  are  cotermi- 
nous, practically  all  the  library  had  to  do  on  the  passage  of 
the  county  law  by  the  state  legislature  was  to  change  its 
name.  The  latter  was  established  in  1908,  one  year  before 
the  passage  of  the  county  library  law,  "  under  an  agreement 
between  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Sacramento  county 
and  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Sacramento  Public 
Library."  The  county  library  law  gave  this  agreement 
legal  sanction. 

All  but  five  of  the  county  libraries  now  in  operation  are 
located  in  town  or  city  library  buildings,  and  the  county 
supervisors  have  made  arrangements  with  the  boards  of 
trustees  for  the  management  of  the  county  work.  The  Kern 
and  San  Diego  county  libraries  are  located  in  the  court 
house;  the  Los  Angeles  County  Library  occupies  rooms  in 
the  Hall  of  Records;  and  the  Madera  and  Tulare  county 
libraries  have  rented  quarters.  None  of  the  twenty-two 
county  libraries  has  a  building  of  its  own. 

The  tax  levy  varies  in  the  different  counties,  but  the 
amount  of  money  provided  in  practically  all  the  twenty- 
two  counties  is  ample  for  the  accomplishment  of  a  wonder- 
ful work.  Of  course  too  little  time  has  elapsed  since  the 
establishment  of  even  the  oldest  of  these  libraries  to  justify 
a  critical  analysis  of  their  work.  At  the  end  of  a  few 
more  years  it  will  be  ix>ssible  to  draw  some  further 
interesting  inferences  from  the  county  library  activities  of 
California. 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  265 

The  reader  will  note  from  the  figures  in  Chapter  XXII 
that  in  only  three  counties  does  the  circulation  exceed  the 
population.  Still,  in  none  of  the  counties  is  all  of  the  prop- 
erty taxed  for  library  purposes,  which  Umits  the  library 
benefits  to  those  residents  of  the  counties  living  in  taxed 
areas.  Then,  too,  the  area  of  most  of  the  counties  is  very 
large,  which  makes  the  problem  of  transportation  and  dis- 
tribution difficult.  For  example,  Kern  County  is  about 
twenty  times  as  large  as  the  average  Ohio  county  and  equal 
to  the  area  of  several  of  the  states  of  the  Union.  Further- 
more, the  climate  and  the  large  transitory  population  of 
California  should  be  taken  into  consideration  in  a  study  of 
the  library  work  of  the  state  and  in  comparing  it  with  the 
library  work  of  the  other  states  of  the  Union.  The  statistics 
of  the  eighteen  *  California  libraries  will  be  found  in  Chap- 
ter XXII. 

/.  Maryland,  ipio 

Maryland  has  one  county  library.  This  library,  the 
Washington  County  Free  Library,  of  Hagerstown,  was 
incorporated  in  1898,  and  opened  to  the  public  in  190 1.  In 
the  beginning  its  chief  income  was  received  from  an  endow- 
ment. At  the  present  time  it  derives  an  additional  income 
from  two  other  sources,  viz.,  the  city  of  Hagerstown  and 
the  county  of  Washington,  having  received  $1,000  from  the 
former  and  $1,500  from  the  latter  last  year.  Its  total 
income  for  191 2  was  $7,500.  The  valuable  building  and 
equipment  belong  to  the  trustees  and  cannot  be  considered 
either  city  or  county  property.  The  population  of  Hagers- 
town is  20,000  and  the  population  of  the  county  50,000. 
The  area  of  the  county  is  459  square  miles.  The  library 
contains  25,000  volumes  and  the  last  annual  circulation 
was  125,000.  The  library  does  an  extensive  work  all  over 
the  county,   having  three  branches,   seventy  stations  and 

*  Four  additional  libraries  have  not  yet  completed  their  first  year. 


266  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

one  hundred  and  sixty-two  class-room  collections.  Some 
of  the  county  work  is  done  by  automobile  delivery. 

The  Washington  County  Free  Library  is  the  only  county 
library  east  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains  and  it  is  old 
enough  to  determine  what  effect  its  work  has  had  on  the 
50,000  people  of  the  county.  A  careful  study  of  Washing- 
ton county  with  special  reference  to  the  work  of  the  library 
during  the  past  twelve  or  thirteen  years  would  be  a  valuable 
contribution  to  the  library  history  of  the  country,  and 
would  no  doubt  aid  in  establishing  the  fact  that  the  county 
library  is  one  of  the  greatest  agencies  in  the  nation  today 
contributing  to  the  welfare  of  rural  life. 

A  detailed  history  of  the  Washington  County  Free 
Library  should  be  of  especial  interest  to  the  New  England 
and  Middle  States,  where  rural  conditions  are  very  similar, 
just  as  the  detail  history  of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van 
Wert  County,  Ohio,  is  of  especial  interest  to  the  Great 
Mississippi  Valley,  where  rural  conditions  are  very  differ- 
ent from  those  that  prevail  in  the  East;  and  as  a  detailed 
history  of  the  California  county  library,  after  a  lapse  of 
possibly  ten  years,  will  be  of  especial  interest  to  the  Great 
West* 

8.  Washington,  ipio-ipi^ 

There  are  three  counties  in  the  state  of  Washington  that 
operate  county  libraries,  viz..  Pierce  County  (county-seat 
Tacoma),  King  County  (county-seat  Seattle)  and  Walla 
Walla  County  (county-seat  Walla  Walla).  The  library 
service  in  these  three  counties,  however,  extends  only  to 
the  schools.  But  so  excellent  is  the  library  work  done  in 
the  schools  of  this  progressive  state  that  when  the  state 

♦On  the  death  of  the  philanthropic  president  of  the  Washington 
County  Library  Board,  some  time  ago,  it  was  found  he  had  left  the 
institution  a  large  sum  of  money  to  be  added  to  the  endowment.  Praise- 
worthy as  the  work  of  this  library  has  been  during  the  past  decade,  its 
increased  income  will  enable  it  to  do  much  more  for  Washington  County 
by  way  of  library  service  than  was  ever  possible  before. 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  267 

finally  secures  a  satisfactory  amendment  to  its  state  library 
laws  permitting  county  libraries  to  be  readily  organized  for 
the  extension  of  library  privileges  to  all  the  people  of  the 
counties  taking  advantage  of  the  laws,  it  will  be  able  to 
confer  library  benefits  on  its  people  equal  to  those  con- 
ferred by  any  other  state  in  the  Union. 

However,  if  Washington  is  unable  to  secure  a  more 
liberal  county  library  law,  it  is  quite  likely  that  some  of  the 
counties  of  the  state  will  take  advantage  of  the  provisions 
of  the  amendment  of  191 3.  From  a  letter  dated  October 
6,  191 3,  from  the  Tacoma  librarian,  Mr.  Franklin  F. 
Hopper,  the  following  is  quoted :  "  We  hope  that  within  a 
year  or  two  this  library  may  make  such  a  contract  with  the 
county  commissioners  of  Pierce  County  that  we  may  be  able 
to  extend  our  services  to  the  citizens  of  the  county." 

p.  Oregon,  ipii 

Oregon  has  three  county  libraries,  all  operating  under 
the  county  library  law  of  191 1  and  doing  excellent  work. 
The  oldest  is  the  Multnomah  County  Library,  of  Portland. 
This  library  was  established  in  1864  by  the  Library  Asso- 
ciation of  Portland,  became  free  to  all  the  residents  of  the 
city  in  1902,  and  under  a  legislative  act  of  1903  extended 
its  privileges  to  all  the  residents  of  Multnomah  County.  The 
central  building  is  the  property  of  the  county,  although  the 
branch  buildings  and  the  equipment  belong  to  the  Associa- 
tion. The  number  of  volumes  is  167,222  and  the  1912 
circulation  was  1,036,894,  The  population  of  the  city  is 
207,214  and  of  the  county  226,261.  The  area  of  the  county 
is  429  square  miles.  Aside  from  the  work  done  at  the 
central  library,  work  is  done  through  three  branches,  eleven 
sub-stations,  twelve  deposit  stations,  three  high-school 
libraries,  and  class-room  libraries  in  both  city  and  rural 
schools.  Funds  are  provided  for  the  work  by  a  .40  mill 
county  tax.     The  most  eloquent  fact  with  respect  to  the 


268  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Multnomah  County  Library  is  the  circulation,  which  is 
exceeded  by  very  few  public  libraries  anywhere  in  the 
country.  Every  resident  of  the  county  averages  during  the 
year,  in  round  numbers,  four  volumes. 

The  other  two  county  libraries  of  Oregon  were  more 
recently  established.  The  Hood  River  County  Library,  of 
Hood  River,  was  opened  in  September,  1912.  It  has  3,000 
volumes,  but  as  yet  there  is  no  record  of  a  complete  year's 
circulation.  The  population  of  the  city  is  2,331  and  of  the 
county  8,016.  The  area  of  the  county  is  543  square  miles. 
Already  seven  county  stations  have  been  established  and 
three  school  collections  have  been  placed.  The  library  is 
supported  by  a  county  tax  of  one-fifth  of  a  mill.  This 
county  contains  the  famous  Hood  River  Orchard  Valley, 
the  residents  of  which  represent  a  very  high  class  of  citizen- 
ship, and  good  work  is  to  be  expected  in  Hood  River  County. 

The  Wasco  County  Library,  of  The  Dalles,  like  the  Hood 
River  County  Library,  was  opened  in  September,  19 12. 
Including  the  school  libraries  and  their  circulation  it  has 
9,039  volumes,  with  a  circulation,  for  the  first  year,  of 
44,942.  The  population  of  The  Dalles  is  6,000  and  of 
Wasco  County  16,336.  The  area  of  the  county  is  2,343 
square  miles. 

During  the  first  year  four  county  branches  and  ten  county 
stations  were  established.  Besides,  there  is  much  work 
being  done  in  the  public  schools.  The  library  is  supported 
by  a  city  tax  of  seven-eighths  of  a  mill  and  by  a  county  tax 
of  one-fifth  of  a  mill.  Considering  the  short  time  the  library 
has  been  in  operation,  a  great  deal  has  been  accomplished. 

i  10.  Nebraska,  ipii 

Nebraska  has  an  excellent  traveling  library  system  and  a 
number  of  township  libraries  have  been  established,  but  no 
county  has  as  yet  taken  advantage  of  the  recently  passed 
county  library  law,  although  there  has  been  a  great  deal  of 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  269 

activity  in  one  or  more  counties  looking  to  an  election  such 
as  the  law  requires.  Nebraska  has  some  very  progressive 
library  people  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  something  will 
happen  one  of  these  days  in  the  way  of  furthering  the  county 
library  movement.  An  effort  will  be  made  either  to  amend 
the  law  so  as  to  make  it  more  workable,  or  libraries  will 
be  established  under  the  law  of  191 1,  difficult  as  it  will  be 
to  establish  them. 

II.  New  York,  ipii 

For  some  reason  or  other  no  county  in  the  state  has  taken 
advantage  of  the  New  York  county  library  law,  although 
its  provisions  are  simple  and  counties  would  experience  no 
difficulty  in  putting  it  into  effect.  Of  course  the  omission 
from  the  law  of  the  tax  feature  greatly  limits  its  service- 
ability and  possibly  accounts  for  the  fact  that  it  has  never 
been  used.  It  is  as  liberal  as  the  county  library  laws  of  the 
states  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  and  yet  in  these  two 
states  much  good  has  come  from  the  county  library  move- 
ment. 

12.  Iowa,  ipi^ 

Iowa  enacted  the  last  of  the  twelve  county  library  laws 
and  it  is  certainly  one  of  the  best.  The  state  has  had  large 
success  in  its  township  work,  and  the  county  library  law 
was  passed  that  rural  library  extension  might  be  emphasized 
to  a  greater  degree  than  was  possible  under  any  of  the  other 
library  laws.  Iowa  being  one  of  the  greatest  agricultural 
states,  its  population  being  largely  rural  and  its  citizenship 
being  of  a  high  type,  there  is  no  other  state  in  the  Union 
wherein  greater  benefits  would  follow  through  the  estab- 
lishment of  numerous  county  libraries. 

jj.  Indiana 

Although  Indiana  has  no  general  county  library  law,  it 
can  nevertheless  boast  of  one  county  library.     Bedford, 


270  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

under  a  special  law  passed  in  1901,  operates  a  county  library- 
supported  by  a  county  tax.  It  was  originally  a  city  library 
and  was  established  by  three  persons,  Mrs.  A.  C  Voris, 
G.  R.  Voris  and  R.  N.  Palmer.  It  has  10,948  volumes  and 
its  last  circulation  was  50,000,  which  is  a  very  good  show- 
ing for  a  city  with  a  population  of  8,716  and  a  county  with 
a  population  of  30,625,  when  one  considers  the  fact  that 
no  branches  have  been  established  and  there  are  no  county 
stations  and  no  school  collections.  The  area  of  Bedford 
County  is  456  square  miles. 

It  is  a  matter  of  interest  that  Indiana  passed  a  county 
library  law  in  the  year  1816.  Regarding  this  bit  of  library 
history  *  Mr.  Samuel  H.  Ranck  says : 

So  far  as  my  knowledge  goes  the  first  county  libraries  estab- 
lished by  law  in  the  United  States  were  under  the  provision  of 
Article  9,  Section  5,  of  the  constitution  of  Indiana,  adopted 
in  1816.    This  section  reads  as  follows: 

"  The  General  Assembly,  at  the  time  they  lay  off  a  new 
county,  shall  cause  at  least  10%  to  be  reserved  out  of  the 
proceeds  of  the  sale  of  town  lots  in  the  seat  of  justice  of 
such  county,  for  the  use  of  a  public  library  for  such  county, 
and  at  the  same  time  they  shall  incorporate  a  library  com- 
pany under  such  rules  and  regulations  as  will  best  secure 
its  permanence  and  extend  its  benefits." 

At  the  first  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Indiana 
in  1817  provision  was  made  for  the  establishment,  according 
to  the  terms  of  the  constitution,  of  a  library  for  Pike  County 
and  three  other  counties.  A  number  of  laws  and  amendments 
to  laws  were  passed  by  Indiana  under  this  constitutional  pro- 
vision, one  of  them  in  1847,  permitting  county  boards  to 
make  an  annual  appropriation  for  their  libraries  "  in  any  sum 
not  exceeding  twenty-five  dollars  in  any  one  year." 

The  Biennial  Report  of  the  Public  Library  Commission  of 
Indiana  for  1904- 1906,  sums  up  the  general  results  of  this 
first  county  library  law  as  follows : 

"  Because  of  the  defects  of  the  system  due  to  lack  of  trans- 
portation and  communicating  facilities,  and  to  the  lack  of  the 

*  See  article  entitled  "  Rural  Library  Extension "  in  Michigan  Li- 
braries, for  December,   1912. 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  271 

personal  supervision  of  efficient  librarians,  this  first  county 
law  failed  of  its  purpose,  though  it  performed  a  valuable 
service  to  the  people  of  the  state." 

14.  Illinois 

Illinois  also  has  a,  county  library,  although  no  general 
county  library  law  has  even  been  passed  by  the  state.  The 
Warren  County  Library,  of  Monmouth,  was  a  gift  of  \V.  P. 
Pressly,  who  in  1868  erected  "  the  first  building  given  in 
the  state  of  Illinois  for  a  People's  Library."  During  his 
life  he  gave  for  building,  books  and  endowment  about 
$25,000.  From  all  other  sources  has  been  received  to  date 
a  like  amount.  The  library  from  the  beginning  extended  its 
privileges  to  all  the  residents  of  the  county,  but  this  was  not 
done  without  charge.  At  the  present  time  all  residents  of 
Monmouth  and  those  living  less  than  two  miles  from  the 
city,  must  pay  three  dollars  a  year  to  become  borrowers  of 
the  library;  the  fee  for  all  other  residents  of  the  county  is 
one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  a  year.  All  expenses  in  connection 
with  collections  of  books  sent  out  in  the  county  to  clubs  or 
other  organizations  must  be  met  by  the  recipients,  who  have 
to  be  paying  patrons  of  the  library.  The  reading-room, 
however,  is  free  to  all.  The  collection  of  books  numbers 
24,424  and  the  last  annual  circulation  amounted  to  60,000, 
which  includes  all  books  taken  from  shelves  and  used  in 
the  library  itself.  The  circulation  is  only  an  estimate,  as 
no  accurate  record  is  kept  of  the  books  used  in  the  reading- 
room  of  the  library.  The  income  of  the  library  is  derived 
from  the  endowment  and  from  the  fees  paid  by  borrowers. 
No  money  is  received  from  taxation.  The  population  of 
Monmouth  is  9,128  and  of  Warren  County  23,313.  The 
area  of  the  county  is  540  square  miles. 

A  little  extension  work  is  done  in  the  county,  but,  as  has 
been  stated,  its  cost  must  be  met  by  those  benefited,  who 
each  pay  either  three  dollars  or  half  that  amount  yearly, 


272  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

according  to  their  location  in  the  county.  Of  course  under 
such  an  arrangement  a  very  large  class  of  people  is  unable 
to  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the  library;  and  the  very  people 
for  whom  the  library  could  do  the  most  good  do  not  for 
pecuniary  reasons  become  its  patrons.  The  Warren  County 
library  could  do  a  wonderful  work  if  it  received  revenue 
from  the  county  to  supplement  its  income  received  from  the 
endowment  and  from  fees. 

i^.  Texas 

In  Texas  a  law  was  passed  in  191 3  whereby 

Provision  is  made  for  a  farmer?'  county  library  at  each 
county-seat.  On  petition  of  100  voters  in  a  county,  the  propo- 
sition for  such  a  library  is  submitted  to  the  voters  at  the  next 
regular  election.  If  the  vote  is  affirmative,  the  commissioners' 
court  of  each  county  shall  provide  room  in  the  county  court 
house  and  make  an  appropriation  sufficient  to  establish  and 
support  such  a  library.  They  shall  have  entire  control  of  the 
library,  and  employ  a  librarian  to  gather  information  pertain- 
ing to  agriculture,  horticulture  and  kindred  subjects  and  com- 
pile and  catalogue  the  same  for  ready  reference  and  use 
under  the  commissioners'  rules.* 

This  law  is  not  given  under  the  county  library  laws  of 
Chapter  XVII  for  the  reason  that  it  is  a  county  library  law 
having  to  do  solely  with  agriculture. 

This  chapter  gives  an  account  of  the  county  library  move- 
ment in  fourteen  states.  It  is  not  asserted  that  the  fifty- 
seven  libraries  here  discussed  are  all  the  libraries  doing 
rural  extension  work.  For  example,  there  are  forty-four 
libraries  in  the  state  of  Wisconsin  alone  that  are  engaged 
in  rural  extension  work  although  none  of  these  are  county 
libraries  in  the  proper  sense  of  the  word.f     Besides,  there 

*  See  article,  "  Library  Legislation  in  1913,"  by  W.  R.  Eastman,  in 
Library  Journal,  January,  1914. 

t  A  county  library  might  be  defined  as  a  library  owned  and  main- 
tained through  taxation  by  a  county  of  a  state  and  having  a  circula- 
tion co-extensive  with  the  county.  The  more  nearly  a  library  fulfills 
the  requirements  of  this  definition  the  more  nearly  is  it  a  real 
county  library. 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  U.  S.  273 

are  scores  of  town  and  city  libraries  in  many  of  the  states 
of  the  Union  that  extend  library  privileges  without  cost  to 
country  residents.  But  it  is  believed  that  this  is  the  first 
attempt  yet  made  on  an  extensive  scale  to  assemble  the 
scattered  data  that  have  to  do  with  the  county  library  move- 
ment in  the  United  States,  and  it  is  hoped  that  it  may  prove 
a  help  to  future  historians  of  the  library  movement. 


CHAPTER  XX 

THE  ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

THE  following  conclusions  are  based  on  the  experiences 
of  the  Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert  County  and 
show  the  advantages  and  requirements  of  the  county  library. 
(i)  The  most  important  advantage  of  the  county  library 
is  educational  and  cultural,  therefore : 

(a)  The  county  library  should  have  collections  of  books 
in  charge  of  paid  custodians  in  all  the  cities,  towns  and 
trading-centers  of  the  county,  so  that  even  the  most  remote 
rural  homes  of  the  county  may  enjoy  library  privileges.  In 
several  states  the  experiment  of  reaching  the  rural  homes 
by  means  of  the  book  wagon  or  book  automobile  has  been 
tried  and  has  proved  a  success.  The  present  generation  has 
given  the  farmer  the  telephone,  rural  free  delivery,  parcel 
post,  postal  savings  banks,  electric  lights,  good  roads,  town- 
ship schools,  the  automobile  and  innumerable  improve- 
ments that  largely  eliminate  drudgery  both  on  the  farm  and 
in  the  home.  H  to  these  is  added  access  to  the  best  litera- 
ture of  the  world,  the  country  home  enjoys  almost  all  the 
advantages  of  the  city  with  none  of  the  latter's  disadvan- 
tages. This  may  in  a  measure  retard  the  migration  from 
country  to  city,  which  will  prove  a  big  factor  in  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  cost  of  living. 

(b)  The  county  library  should  have  collections  of  books 
under  the  supervision  of  teachers  in  all  the  schools  of  the 
county.  This  is  of  inestimable  benefit  to  teachers,  since  it 
brings  them  into  intimate  and  constant  contact  with  well- 
trained  librarians.    It  is  equally  helpful  to  pupils  because  it 

274 


ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY   275 

adds  an  element  to  their  school  work  which  makes  many 
of  their  studies  much  more  interesting.  Give  the  pupil  some 
first-class  books  that  in  an  attractive  manner  supplement 
his  work,  and  these  will  arouse  in  him  an  interest  that  will 
make  him  eager  to  learn.  Then,  it  has  a  good  effect  on  the 
homes  of  the  children  in  the  school  because  books  taken 
home  by  the  children  are  frequently  read  by  the  i>arents 
and  older  brothers  and  sisters.  Thus,  a  county  library  makes 
better  teachers,  better  pupils  and  better  homes. 

(c)  The  county  library  should  devote  a  good  deal  of 
time  to  the  needs  of  the  ministers  of  the  county.  It  should 
supply  them  with  the  very  best  books  that  appear  from  year 
to  year  on  all  the  subjects  that  are  of  most  vital  interest  to 
them:  books  on  matters  pertaining  to  theology  and  the 
church,  books  on  matters  pertaining  to  the  problems  of  the 
city  and  the  equally  important  problems  of  the  country,  and 
all  sorts  of  books  whose  perusal  will  make  them  better 
preachers  and  better  pastors.  The  preachers  need  all  the 
help  they  can  get  in  their  work  and  particularly  is  this 
true  of  country  pastors.  Life  is  very  different  today  from 
what  it  was  a  generation  ago.  Then  the  church  had  less 
difficulty  in  getting  and  holding  the  people  because  the 
magnetic  power  of  the  world  was  not  so  strong.  But  the 
interests  and  activities  of  the  people  have  become  so  numer- 
ous in  these  latter  days,  the  attractions  and  fascinations  of  a 
complex  life  have  become  so  irresistible,  and  the  earth  has 
grown  so  much  smaller  because  of  the  greater  facilities  of 
communication  and  travel,  that  the  church  finds  it  increas- 
ingly more  difficult  to  comi)ete  with  the  world  and  retain 
its  ideals.  So  anything  that  can  be  done  to  enable  the  church 
to  keep  fully  abreast  of  the  times,  without  sacrificing  any 
of  its  spirituality,  supplies  an  additional  element  of  strength 
to  our  nation. 

(d)  The  county  library  should  aid  all  praiseworthy 
organizations  both  of  the  county  and  of  a  local  character. 


276  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

Through  book  lists,  exhibits  and  addresses,  it  should  help 
farmers'  institutes  and  seek  to  foster  an  interest  in  them 
among  all  the  farmers.  In  various  ways  it  should  cooperate 
with  county  fair  boards  and  do  what  it  can  to  make  the 
County  Fair  the  one  big  event  of  the  year  in  county  activi- 
ties. It  should  work  with  township  Sunday  school  con- 
ventions, that  the  most  important  department  in  the  church 
in  the  matter  of  spiritual  instruction  of  the  youth  of  the 
county  may  flourish.  It  should  encourage  essay  and  ora- 
torical contests  and  debates  through  its  work  in  the  schools ; 
it  should  stimulate  crop-growing  movements,  poultry  shows 
and  the  like;  it  should  seek  to  arouse  an  interest  in  music 
festivals  in  order  that  the  people  may  become  interested  in 
the  best  music  and  in  dramatic  performances  that  a  healthy 
love  of  only  the  best  in  dramatic  art  may  be  developed;  it 
should  encourage  all  kinds  of  civic  and  county  activities  that 
make  for  the  welfare  of  the  county  physically,  mentally  and 
morally;  it  should  aim  to  keep  all  the  people  in  intimate 
touch  with  local,  state  and  national  activities  through  ref- 
erences to  articles  and  books  and  through  exhibits  of  all 
kinds.  Through  printed  book  lists  designed  for  all  the 
county  and  through  published  lists  of  books  and  helpful 
library  items  in  many  of  the  papers  of  the  county,  the  library 
should  keep  its  resources  constantly  before  its  entire  con- 
stituency. 

(2)  Another  advantage  of  the  county  library  is  its 
emphasis  of  the  idea  of  unity  in  the  county,  its  constant 
encouragement  of  cooperation  in  all  county  activities  and  its 
development  of  county  patriotism.  The  library's  work 
among  the  homes  of  the  county,  among  the  teachers  and 
pupils  of  all  the  schools  of  the  county,  among  the  pastors  of 
the  county  and  among  the  great  number  of  county  clubs, 
associations  and  organizations  has  the  effect  of  bringing  all 
the  people  of  the  county  close  together.  By  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  opportunities  offered  it  in  its  work  among  all 


ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY    277 

the  people,  the  county  library  is  able  to  develop  to  a  wonder- 
ful degree  the  spirit  of  cooperation.  And  from  its  exten- 
sive v^ork  among  the  people  and  its  fostering  of  the  spirit 
of  cooperation,  it  prepares  the  way  for  a  high  type  of 
patriotism. 

Unity,  cooperation  and  patriotism,  this  trinity  is  the  salva- 
tion of  the  county.  Furthermore,  all  this  gives  the  county 
a  good  name,  it  keeps  it  on  the  highway  of  progress,  and  it 
makes  it  a  good  place  in  which  to  establish  a  home,  to  earn 
a  living  and  to  rear  a  family. 

(3)  The  county  library  develops  the  philanthropic  spirit, 
since  it  is  maintained  by  a  county  tax  either  on  all  or  on 
a  large  part  of  the  property  of  the  county,  and  many  of 
those  who  contribute  the  most  toward  the  library's  main- 
tenance apparently  receive  the  least  benefit.  The  poorest 
resident  of  the  county  and  his  entire  family  have  just  as 
much  right  to  its  services  as  the  largest  tax-payer.  And  yet 
the  largest  tax-payer  gets  value  received  for  his  contribution 
to  the  support  of  the  library,  however  much  it  may  be. 

A  few  figures  will  verify  the  statement  that  all  tax-payers 
get  value  received.  If  a  county  with  a  tax  duplicate  of 
fifty  million  dollars  allows  its  county  library  ten  thousand 
dollars  a  year  for  maintenance  (and  this  amount  will  suc- 
cessfully run  a  county  library  in  a  county  of  from  thirty  to 
fifty  thousand  people  having  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
branches  and  collections  in  a  hundred  or  more  country 
schools),  each  person  on  one  thousand  dollars'  worth  of 
property  would  contribute  only  twenty  cents  a  year  to  the 
support  of  the  library.  Very  few  farmers  in  any  county  pay 
taxes  on  more  than  ten  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  property, 
and  even  such  well-to-do  farmers  would  contribute  only  two 
dollars  a  year  toward  the  maintenance  of  the  library  for  the 
threefold  advantages  enjoyed  by  themselves  and  their  fam- 
ilies. He  would  be  unwise  who  should  enter  the  slightest 
objection  to  paying  so  little  for  the  privilege  of  getting  so 


278  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

much.  Inquiry  of  county  auditors  will  show  that  the  number 
of  people  in  any  county  who  pay  on  less  than  ten  thousand 
dollars'  worth  of  property  is  many  times  the  number  who 
pay  on  property  in  excess  of  this  amount ;  so  that  the  great 
mass  of  the  i)eople  would  enjoy  privileges  for  which  they 
would  pay  nominal  amounts  into  the  county  treasury. 

It  is  the  railroads,  the  traction  and  street  car  lines,  the 
banks,  the  factories,  the  merchants  and  the  few  persons 
having  large  investments  or  large  interests  in  the  county 
that  make  the  large  payments  toward  the  support  of  the 
county  library.  Do  they  enter  any  objection?  Not  at  all, 
and  for  the  reason  that  progressive  people  make  use  of 
the  railroads  and  the  traction  and  street  car  lines,  acquire 
and  deposit  money  in  the  banks,  buy  goods  made  by  the 
factories,  patronize  the  merchants  and  keep  up  the  value 
of  the  property  of  the  large  property  owners  of  the  county. 

(4)  Another  advantage  of  the  county  library  is  that  its 
funds  are  ample  to  employ  a  well-educated  and  experienced 
librarian  and  an  intelligent  force  of  assistants,  which  would 
be  impossible  on  an  income  ranging  from  one  thousand  to 
twenty-five  hundred  dollars  annually,  and  yet  the  incomes 
of  a  majority  of  the  libraries  of  the  country  will  not  exceed 
the  latter  figure.  It  is  difficult  to  employ  a  trained  librarian 
for  fifty  dollars  a  month,  and  on  such  an  income  more  can- 
not be  paid.  And  if  the  librarian  receives  only  fifty  dollars 
a  month,  of  course  assistants  are  paid  less.  A  library  should 
be  an  institution  presided  over  by  a  trained  librarian.  Such 
a  person  commands  the  respect  of  the  library  trustees,  assist- 
ants and  patrons,  is  able  to  select  suitable  books  and 
periodicals  from  the  thousands  offered,  knows  how  to  direct 
students  and  others  in  all  kinds  of  reference  work,  succeeds 
by  degrees  in  elevating  the  literary  tastes  of  readers,  and 
develops  into  a  great  force  in  the  county  in  all  matters  that 
pertain  to  education  and  culture.  Likewise  the  assistants 
of  a  library  should  be  sufficiently  well  paid  to  enable  the 


ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY    279 

trustees  to  secure  the  highest  type  of  young  women  for  such 
positions. 

(5)  Another  advantage  of  a  county  Hbrary  is  that  its 
funds  are  ample  to  provide  a  first-class  library  equipment 
including  a  well-selected  number  of  the  best  periodicals 
specializing  in  the  different  fields  of  human  endeavor,  the 
best  and  latest  reference  works  (some  of  which  are  very 
high-priced  and  can  be  bought  only  by  libraries  enjoying 
good  incomes)  and  the  choice  books  of  every  class  as  soon 
as  they  are  published.  How  many  of  the  libraries  of  the 
country  can  be  live-wire  repositories  of  the  best  products  of 
the  human  brain  on  the  income  they  receive? 

A  library  should  be  much  more  than  a  place  where  libra- 
rians do  the  routine  work  of  looking  after  books  and  peri- 
odicals and  where  books  are  indiscriminately  borrowed  and 
periodicals  read ;  and  yet  many  of  the  libraries  of  the  coun- 
try are  little  more  than  just  such  places,  and  will  continue 
to  be  as  long  as  funds  for  library  maintenance  are  insuffi- 
cient. 

Arguments  (4)  and  (5)  suggest  a  word  on  township 
libraries.  Making  the  township  the  unit  in  the  extension 
of  library  benefits  enables  many  people  to  enjoy  library 
privileges  that  had  hitherto  been  denied  such  service.  Argu- 
ments can  be  found  for  and  against  both  the  township  and 
the  county  plan.  It  is  even  probable  that  the  township  plan 
would  be  better  in  some  instances  than  the  county  plan.  But, 
generally  speaking,  there  is  one  objection  to  the  township 
plan  that  cannot  be  urged  against  the  county  plan,  and  that 
is,  it  leaves  some  territory  in  the  county  without  library 
privileges, 

(a)  It  is  not  likely  that  every  township  in  any  county 
would  establish  a  township  library:  some  townships  could 
and  would,  some  townships  would  and  could  not,  and  some 
townships  could  and  would  not.  Even  though  several 
townships  might  combine,  as  is  the  case  in  several  states, 
there  would  still  remain  districts  without  library  service. 


280  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

(b)  The  progressive  townships  would  establish  township 
libraries,  which  would  lead  to  greater  educational  progress 
in  them  than  in  the  backward  townships, 

(c)  The  very  townships  in  a  county  which  would  have 
greatest  need  of  library  service  would  be  the  last  to  secure 
township  libraries. 

(d)  The  township  library  would  work  against  rather 
than  contribute  to  county  unity,  cooperation  and  patriotism. 

In  place  of  making  several  efforts  in  a  county  to  secure  a 
number  of  township  libraries,  why  not  as  a  result  of  one 
campaign  provide  for  a.  county  library  that  would  be 
adequate  to  the  needs  of  the  whole  county? 

The  question  reduces  itself  to  this :  Which  plan  is  more 
likely  in  the  end  to  secure  library  service  for  all  the  people  ? 
If  the  township  plan,  let  that  be  emphasized.  If  the  county 
plan,  let  that  be  emphasized. 

(6)  A  final  advantage  of  the  county  library  is  that  it 
makes  a  good  government  and  state  depository  and  is  the 
logical  place  for  the  collection  and  preservation  of  all  data 
that  have  to  do  with  the  history  of  the  county.  In  past 
years  schools  emphasized  general  history  to  the  neglect  of 
local  history.  But  that  time  is  past.  Now  the  curricula  of 
the  schools  are  giving  local  history  its  true  place,  and  pupils 
are  coming  to  have  a  better  knowledge  of,  and  more  love 
for,  the  home  county.  Why  should  not  every  child  know 
all  the  important  dates  and  incidents  in  the  history  of  his 
home  county  and  be  informed  on  its  agricultural,  manu- 
facturing, social,  religious  and  educational  activities?  The 
history  of  every  county  (and  especially  is  this  true  of  the 
older  counties  of  the  country)  is  full  of  incidents  that  are 
worthy  of  preservation.  Furthermore,  relics  and  exhibits 
that  have  a  bearing  on  the  life  of  the  county  should  be  pre- 
served for  the  future. 


When  one  thinks  of  the  almost  countless  ways  that  the 
people  living  in  the  cities  have  benefited  by  the  philanthropies 


ADVANTAGES  OF  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY    281 

of  generous  men  and  women,  one  wonders  that  so  few 
benefactors  have  remembered  the  people  Hving  in  the  rural 
districts  of  the  United  States.  They  enjoy  many  advantages 
now  that  they  did  not  have  years  ago,  although  they  pay 
for  practically  all  of  them.  Of  course,  if  they  have  library 
privileges  through  a  county  library  they  pay  for  these  also, 
but  they  are  willing  to  pay  for  them  because  they  know  that 
they  are  getting  large  returns  for  a  small  outlay. 

More  should  be  done  for  the  farmer,  since  the  future  of 
the  country  depends  upon  the  progress  he  makes.  It  is  his 
sons  and  daughters  that  recruit  the  ranks  of  the  cities.  If 
these  reinforcements  come  from  homes  of  education,  cul- 
ture and  spirituality,  city  standards  are  raised  and  there  is 
a  better  municipal  and  national  citizenship. 

For  a  decade  and  a  half  the  farmer  has  g^own  rich,  but 
not  so  much  from  his  farming  operations  as  from  an 
increase  in  the  value  of  his  land.  From  the  time  of  the 
Civil  War  to  the  year  1896,  money  was  scarce  and  the  things 
for  which  money  was  exchanged  were  cheap.  But  since 
1896  money  has  grown  year  by  year  more  plentiful  and  the 
result  is  that  things  for  which  money  is  exchanged  have 
become  dear.  And  among  these  things  is  land.  Land, 
worth  very  little  per  acre  in  the  early  nineties,  has  in  many 
cases  doubled  and  trebled  in  value  and  it  may  also  be  said 
of  farm  tools,  implements,  live  stock  and  farm  products 
that  they  too  have  greatly  increased  in  value.  This  advan- 
tage to  the  farmer,  however,  is  partially  offset  by  the  fact 
that  all  the  things  that  he  buys  are  much  higher  and,  besides, 
he  has  to  pay  much  more  for  farm  labor.  Nevertheless,  the 
farmer  has  grown  rich  as  a  result  of  the  fact  that  his  land 
and  products  have  increased  in  value  during  the  past  fifteen 
or  twenty  years,  and  his  possession  of  those  things  that 
have  greatly  depreciated  in  value,  viz.,  money,  stock,  bonds 
and  other  intangible  personal  property,  has  been  limited. 

But  this  increase  in  value  of  the  property  of  the  farmer 


282  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

cannot  go  on  forever.  Even  now  it  looks  as  though  a  halt 
had  come  in  the  upward  trend  of  prices.  And  when  land 
ceases  to  go  higher  and  the  products  of  the  farm  discontinue 
to  enhance  in  value,  or  fall  off  in  price,  then  the  farmer  will 
be  almost  solely  dependent  on  what  he  can  get  out  of  his 
land.  The  business  of  farming  under  stable  prices  is  very 
safe,  but  it  is  not  very  conducive  to  affluence.  Further- 
more, if  the  nation-wide  campaign  to  reduce  the  high  cost  of 
living  is  successful,  the  man  who  will  be  affected  most  will 
be  the  farmer.  Since,  therefore,  the  likelihood  is  that  one 
great  element  of  the  past  that  contributed  to  the  large  prof- 
its of  the  farmer,  viz.,  the  gradual  increase  in  value  of  his 
land  as  well  as  his  stock  in  trade,  is  to  disappear  coinci- 
dentally  with  a  national  and  international  effort  to  force 
down  the  prices  on  all  the  things  that  the  farmer  sells,  the 
farmer  of  tomorrow  must  make  some  gains  to  compensate 
him  for  the  loss  of  those  things  enjoyed  by  the  farmer  of 
yesterday,  or  rural  life  will  decline.  One  of  the  compensat- 
ing features  may  be  that  of  library  service,  which  would 
mean  a  mental  and  spiritual  gain  to  offset  a  material  loss. 

Nor  need  there  be  any  material  loss  if  the  attention  of  the 
whole  people  is  directed  to  the  elevation  of  educational 
standards  among  the  forty-five  to  fifty  millions  of  the  rural 
population.  The  main  cause  of  the  unsatisfactory  condi- 
tion of  agriculture  in  the  nation  is  its  failure  to  keep  pace 
in  its  attractiveness  and  advantages  with  the  other  callings 
of  the  people.  Let  agriculture  take  its  true  place  in  the 
nation's  activities  through  a  more  attractive  home  and  social 
life,  through  better  schools  and  churches,  through  a  greater 
conservation  of  effort  and  through  a  higher  type  of  farm- 
ing, and  many  of  the  problems  of  rural  life  will  disappear. 
Supplying  the  farmer  with  the  world's  knowledge  by  library 
service  is  one  of  the  means  that  will  enable  agriculture  to 
take  its  true  place  in  the  nation's  activities. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

A  LOOK  INTO  THE  FUTURE 

FINALLY,  the  question  arises,  What  of  the  future  of 
the  county  Hbrary  movement?  Will  it  be,  like  many 
other  movements,  short-lived?  Or  will  it  gather  strength 
with  each  year  and  eventually  come  to  be  one  of  the  great 
factors  in  our  national  progress,  a  movement  so  wide-spread 
and  far-reaching  that  in  the  end  few  people  of  the  whole 
country  will  be  denied  the  best  of  library  service?  The 
future  may  be  regarded  with  optimism  since  a  study  of  the 
movement  establishes  three  encouraging  facts:  (i)  some 
of  the  states  that  have  county  library  laws  are  seeking  to 
make  them  better  adapted  to  conditions;  (2)  all  of  the 
twelve  states  are  showing  an  abundance  of  enthusiasm  in 
their  county  library  activities ;  and  (3)  other  states  are  mak- 
ing efforts  to  secure  the  passage  of  county  library  laws. 

One  purpose  of  this  book  is  to  give  the  county  library 
movement  an  impetus.  Hitherto  county  library  activities 
have  been  somewhat  isolated  and  sporadic,  records  of  them 
have  been  partly  lost  in  the  tremendous  mass  of  literature 
that  concerns  itself  with  the  library  progress  of  the  nation, 
and  busy  men  and  women  have  found  it  almost  impossible,  in 
the  midst  of  the  many  demands  on  their  time,  to  devote 
enough  attention  to  this  phase  of  library  work  to  enable 
them  to  get  a  clear  conception  of  its  place  in  library  develop- 
ment. A  perusal  of  this  book  will  enable  those  interested 
in  library  progress  to  get  an  understanding  of  the  status  and 
significance  of  the  county  library  movement. 

The  future  of  the  movement  is  assured  because  it  is  in 

283 


284  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

harmony  with  the  national  spirit  of  the  times,  yea,  the  world 
Zeitgeist.  The  student  of  contemporary  history  is  impressed 
with  the  fact  that  the  whole  nation  is  taking  a  great  inter- 
est in  social  service.  The  past  decade  has  witnessed  a 
phenomenal  growth  in  the  missionary  activities  of  the  nation 
with  the  result  that  every  field  of  missionary  endeavor  has 
been  enlarged  and  supplied  with  more  workers.  More 
and  more  attention  is  being  devoted  to  a  solution  of  the 
many  vexing  problems  of  industrial  life,  leading  to  the 
passage  of  progressive  laws  both  by  Congress  and  by  the 
several  state  legislatures. 

The  public  school  system  and  the  churches  are  receiving 
the  best  thought  and  commanding  a  large  portion  of  the 
time  of  men  and  women  from  every  walk  of  life,  and  the 
former  is  to  a  greater  extent  becoming  responsive  to  the 
needs  of  the  present  while  the  latter  are  strengthening  their 
hold  on  the  people.  The  evils  that  threaten  the  national 
life  —  the  liquor  traffic,  the  use  of  drugs,  the  business  of 
white  slavery,  impurity,  etc.,  etc. —  are  weighing  so  heavily 
on  the  consciences  of  the  good  people  of  the  country  that 
herculean  efforts  are  being  made  by  consecrated  thousands 
to  preserve  the  health  of  the  nation  through  their  elimina- 
tion. The  work  among  the  boys  and  girls  of- the  country 
has  increased  amazingly  in  recent  years.  It  is  realized  that 
if  they  be  surrounded  with  elevating  and  stimulating  influ- 
ences during  the  formative  periods  of  their  lives  they  will 
develop  into  a  citizenship  in  whose  hands  the  nation  will 
be  safe  and  able  to  continue  in  its  great  progress.  The 
thousands  of  foreigners  who  seek  "  The  Promised  Land  " 
every  year  with  the  view  of  making  it  their  permanent  home 
are  finding  the  American  people  a  people  interested  in 
humanity,  and  desirous  that  the  citizenship  which  emerges 
from  the  great  Melting  Pot  shall  be  a  citizenship  freed  from 
the  dross  of  evil  habits  and  customs  and  fitted  for  a  great 
destiny  in  the  nation  of  their  adoption. 


A  LOOK  INTO  THE  FUTURE  285 

This  magnificent  work  of  a  virile  people  will  not  stop 
short  of  fruition. 

The  most  important  thing  in  every  man's  life  is  his  life 
purpose.  The  purpose  of  a  man's  life  determines  the  value 
of  the  man  to  society.  If  the  purpose  be  selfish  the  life  is 
useless.  If  the  purpose  be  unselfish  the  hfe  is  valuable  in 
proportion  to  the  activity  of  the  man  in  the  field  of  unselfish 
endeavor.  Real  happiness  never  came  and  never  can  come 
to  the  man  with  a  selfish  life  purpose.  True  happiness  comes 
only  to  him  who  contributes  something  to  the  world  that  is 
of  benefit  to  humanity. 

Dedicating  a  part  of  one's  time  to  the  cause  of  the  county 
library  movement  is  a  worthy  purpose.  But  any  one  doing 
this  meets  with  many  obstacles.  Yet  who  ever  entered  the 
field  of  philanthropy  that  did  not  encounter  opposition? 
Some  one  has  said,  "  Righteousness  is  potential  energy  won 
by  fighting  evil;  the  moment  fighting  stops,  growth  stops 
and  righteousness  languishes."  There  is  no  such  thing  as 
latent  or  dormant  righteousness.  It  may  likewise  be  said  of 
all  other  virtues  that  they  are  potential  energy  and  that 
the  moment  cultivation  stops  in  the  case  of  any  of  them 
development  ceases.  The  one  big  obstacle  in  the  way  of  the 
more  rapid  growth  of  the  county  library  idea  is  selfishness, 
selfishness  which  takes  the  form  of  a  refusal  to  be  taxed  for 
the  benefit  of  all  the  people.  Many  object  to  being  taxed  for 
county  libraries  who  would  willingly  advocate  taxation  for 
such  purpose  if  they  were  shown  the  great  benefit  to  be 
derived  therefrom.  In  the  case  of  such  men  all  that  is  neces- 
sary is  that  they  be  enlightened  to  make  them  "  boosters  " 
instead  of  "  knockers."  But  there  is  another  class  of  men 
who  are  so  narrow  in  their  ideas  that  they  resist  taxation 
on  general  principles.  And  in  those  communities  where  the 
majority  of  the  people  are  influenced  by  such  persons,  little 
progress  is  made. 

Every  state  in  the  Union  should  have  people  who  resolve 


286  THE  COUNTY  LIBRARY 

that  they  will  not  rest  until  their  legislature  passes  a  county 
library  law,  if  such  a  law  has  not  already  been  passed.  And 
after  a  law  has  been  enacted  they  should  bend  their  energies 
to  urging  upon  counties  the  desirability  of  establishing 
county  libraries  under  the  law.  This  would  give  the  move- 
ment a  tremendous  impetus.  The  beginning  has  been  made 
and  it  is  a  good  beginning.  If,  therefore,  willing  workers 
in  every  state  become  interested  in  the  county  library  pro- 
paganda, the  movement  will  gradually  gather  momentum. 

If  librarians  would  realize  their  ambition  along  this  line, 
they  must  get  a  vision.  Is  it  not  true  that  the  only  i>eople 
in  this  world  who  ever  accomplish  anything  worth  while 
are  the  people  who  have  a  vision?  Life  is  full  of  so  very 
much  that  retards  and  hinders  and  discourages  in  one's 
ambitions,  but  if  a  person  has  caught  the  vision  the  many 
obstacles  that  impede  his  progress  will  never  stop  him 
because  of  the  lofty  purpose  that  dominates  his  life. 

But  after  one  has  the  vision  the  next  important  thing  is 
that  he  properly  interpret  it.  Some  get  the  vision  and 
fancy  they  are  inspired  to  ascend  the  heights  and  work 
with  the  leaders  of  the  forces  of  Progress.  How  many  such 
are  like  the  hero  in  Hawthorne's  beautiful  story  of  "  The 
Threefold  Destiny,"  who  imagined  the  world  had  great 
things  for  him  to  do,  but  whose  work  lay  right  at  his  own 
door-step.  The  librarians  of  the  smallest  libraries  in  the 
land  have  a  great  work  right  at  home.  And  if  they  do 
their  work  well  at  home  the  world  will  be  compelled  to  take 
notice  and  they  may  be  called  higher,  with  the  result  that 
their  final  activities  might  be  among  the  leaders  of  men. 

Some  months  ago,  Chavez,  the  French  aviator,  had  aspira- 
tions to  fly  across  the  Alps  into  Italy.  Finally,  he  started 
on  the  perilous  trip,  but  "  on  reaching  his  destination  his 
machine  suddenly  collapsed  and  fell  to  the  ground  and  he 
was  crushed.  During  his  wonderful  flight  in  the  blinding 
whirlwinds  of  snow,  crossing  peak  after  peak,  and  in  the 


A  LOOK  INTO  THE  FUTURE  287 

delirium  of  his  death,  he  cried  again  and  again :    '  One  more 
peak,  O  God,  one  more  peak.'  " 

To  the  heights  of  an  unknown  sky,  alone, 

On  the  wings  of  man,  to  the  face  of  God, 

An  evangel  of  onward,  straight  has  flown, 

Where  demon  or  seraph  had  never  trod; 

And  the  thought  of  his  heart,  which  we  all  must  speak, 

Was:  Bear  me,  O  God,  o'er  another  peak. 

And  on  and  on  to  Italian  skies, 
By  glaciered  Alpine  gulfs  and  snows. 
On  impetuous  wings  the  birdman  flies, 
While  the  wheels  whirl  fast,  but,  as  he  goes 
Like  a  sunlit  meteor's  passing  streak, 
The  cry  of  his  heart  is  —  one  more  peak. 

O  val'rous  heart!    The  steepest,  last, 

Of  the  menacing  mountain  chain, 

The  uppermost  pinnacle's  pride  is  passed; 

But  it  smiles  in  a  strange  disdain  — 

For  the  vulture  gloats  o'er  the  paling  cheek 

Of  him  who  mastered  that  one  last  peak. 

See  him  stretched  on  the  plain,  the  dying  bird. 
The  conqueror  crushed  by  his  car! 
Yet  sublimer  strain  was  never  heard 
Than  he  voiced  to  the  earth,  and  air  — 
That  eternal  prayer  man  must  ever  speak, 
To  Him  who  is  Lord  of  the  plain  and  peak. 

Full  often  around  the  world  has  rung 
An  immortal,  fateful  phrase. 
But  no  victor  or  martyr  has  ever  sung 
A  nobler  psalm  than  thine,  Chavez! 
That  the  soul  is  dead  that  will  not  seek, 
Whate'er  its  triumphs  —  another  peak.* 

The  world  is  what  it  is  today  because  of  the  men  and 
women  whose  prayer  has  ever  been  —  "  One  more  peak, 
O  God,  one  more  peak."  Some  have  failed  to  scale  every 
peak  and  to  reach  Italy;  some,  like  Chavez,  have  met  death 
at  the  goal ;  some  have  lived  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  the  jour- 
ney.   But  all  have  rendered  a  service  to  mankind. 

*M.  F.  Tighe. 


CHAPTER   XXII 

THE  COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  CLASSIFIED 

THE  fifty-three  *  county  libraries  of  the  United  States 
may  be  divided  into  three  classes : 

( 1 )  those  organized  under  general  laws ; 

(2)  those  organized  under  sp>ecial  laws; 

(3)  and  those  organized  under  no  laws. 
Under  the  first  class  are  five  groups : 

(a)  The  first  group  consists  of  county  libraries  in  their 
own  buildings  and  maintained  by  a  tax  on  all  the  taxable 
property  of  the  county; 

(b)  The  second  group  consists  of  county  libraries  oper- 
ated through  town  or  city  libraries  and  maintained  by  a 
tax  on  all  the  taxable  property  of  the  county; 

(c)  The  third  group  consists  of  county  libraries  in  their 
own  or  rented  qiuirters  and  maintained  by  a  tax  on  only  part 
of  the  taxable  property  of  the  county; 

(d)  The  fourth  group  consists  of  county  libraries  oper- 
ated through  town  or  city  libraries  and  maintained  by  a 
tax  on  only  part  of  the  taxable  proi>erty  of  the  county ; 

(e)  The  fifth  group  consists  of  county  libraries  operated 
through  town  or  city  libraries  and  maintained  by  a  county 
appropriation. 

*  Four  other  county  libraries  authorized  but  not  yet  in  operation 
(July,  1913),  viz.,  Del  Norte,  Monterey,  San  Mateo  and  Santa  Clara 
County  libraries,  all  of  California.  Besides,  there  are  three  county- 
seat  libraries  in  Missouri  (see  page  263)  that  serve  the  book  needs  of 
their  respective  counties.  These  are  the  Carthage,  Fulton  and  Sedalia 
libraries.  Then,  Wisconsin  has  forty-four  libraries  (see  page  262) 
that  "  grant  free  privileges  to  country  people."  Furthermore,  in  almost 
all  parts  of  the  country  will  be  found  libraries  that  have  become 
liberal  enough  to  supply  country  people  with  library  service.  The 
trend  seems  to  be  in  the  direction  of  granting  library  privileges  to  the 
people  in  the  small  villages  and  on  the  farms,  and  town  and  city 
libraries  are  responding  to  the  challenge  of  the  millions  who  represent 
Rural  America  and  township  and  county  libraries  are  rapidly  increasing 
in  number. 

288 


COUNTY  LIBRARIES  OF  U.  S.  CLASSIFIED     289 


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INDEX 


Access  to  shelves,  127 

Advantages  of  the  County  Library, 
274-82.  See  also  Arguments  for 
the  County  library 

Agricultural  books,  reading  of  by 
farmers,  225 ;  sent  to  farmers' 
institutes,  225 

Agriculture,  in  Van  Wert  County, 
95-96 ;  taught  in  the  schools,  189, 
196.    See  also  Farming 

Alfalfa,  see  Crops  in  Van  Wert 
County 

American  Library  Association, 
suggestion  for,  132 

Amerikanische  biblioteken  und 
ihre  Bestrebungen,  quotation 
from,  152 

Annotated  lists  of  the  Branch  col- 
lections, use  of,  155 

Annual  reports  of  the  Brumback 
Library,  quoted,  142-44,  I47» 
15I1  153.  184;  notice  of  nth  an- 
nual report  in  the  Dial,  132 

Antrim,  Ernest  Irving,  sketch  of 
Mrs.  Antrim  by,  103-4;  articles 
quoted,  144-45 

Antrim,  Mrs.  Ernest  Irving,  103-4 

Apprentices  of  Brumback  Library, 
117 

Area  of  Van  Wert  County,  91 

Arguments  for  the  County  library, 
presented  by  the  Brumback 
heirs,  20;  by  the  press,  23,  26, 
28,  41-43,  45;  outlined  in  ad- 
dresses at  laying  of  corner- 
stone, 50-54;  in  report  of  Ohio 
State  Library  Commissioners, 
58;  presented  in  addresses  at 
dedication,  70-71,  82-83;  as  dem- 
onstrated by  the  work  of  the 
Brumback  Library,  140,  145,  152. 
See  also  Advantages  of  the 
County  Library;  Opposition  to 
County  Library  idea 

Assistants  of  the  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 116 


Autoists,  list  of  books  for,  165 
Average  reader,  224 

Banks,  large  taxpayers  for  County 

Library,  278 
Bedford   (Ind.),  a  county  library 

under  a  special  law,  269,  295 
Benefits   of   the   County   Library, 

see  Advantages  of  the  County 

Library;     Arguments     for    the 

County  Library 
Bequests   to   Van    Wert    County, 

97-98 
Best     work     not     expressed     by 

figures,  139 
Bicknell,  Percy  P.,  quoted,  132 
Biography,   Books  of,   popularity, 

224 
Birchard  library,  Fremont,  O.,  258, 

296 
Board  of  Trustees,  see  Trustees 

of  Brumback  Library 
Bonds,  to  build  a  county  library, 

250 
Book    card,    illustration    of,    173; 

tray  for  filing,  174 
Book-cases,    supplied    to    Branch 

libraries,  173 
Book   lists,   issued   by   Brumback 

Library,  130,  165,  190,  198 
Book  wagon,  274 
Books  for  the  Branch  libraries,  a 

sample  early  collection,   136-37; 

a  recent  collection,   166;   selec- 
tion   of,     171 ;    purchase,     171 ; 

preparation,      172;     how     they 

travel,  172 
"  Boosting    Van    Wert    County," 

essay  contest,  195 
Borrowers,    residents    of    county 

only,  137 ;  fee  for  non-residents, 

137;  of  Branch  libraries,  rules, 

170;   only  two   in   a   family   at 

first,  120,  210;  statistics  of,  210- 

13;    rural    school    pupils,    210; 

Delphos    borrowers    not    regis- 


297 


298 


INDEX 


tered,  211;  not  registered  under 
nine  years  of  age,  211;  table, 
213 

Borrowers'  cards,  see  Borrowers 

Bowland,  Orrin,  199 

Boxes  for  Branch  libraries,  172 

Branch  librarians,  how  chosen,  133 
et  seq;  salaries  of,  why  uni- 
form, 138-40;  amount  of  salary, 
175;  meeting  of,  154;  nomen- 
clature, 169-70;  duties,  173-76; 
rules  governing,  175;  list  of, 
179-81 

Branch  libraries  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, first  ones  established,  133- 
38;  first  purchase  of  books  for, 
141 ;  first  preparation  of  books 
for,  141 ;  first  plan  for  rotation 
of  books,  141 ;  plan  adopted, 
142;  summary  of  first  year  of 
operation,  142;  work  of,  in  1902, 
145-48;  in  1903,  148-49;  in  1904. 
150-51;  in  1906,  151;  in  1907, 
151-52;  in  1908,  152-53;  in  1910, 
154-55;  in  191 1,  155-57;  in  1912, 
157;  in  1913,  157-69;  photo- 
graphs secured,  161 ;  present 
methods  of  operation,  169-79; 
tables  of  statistics,  217,  220 

Branch  stations,  see  Branch  Li- 
braries of  Brumback  Library 

Brotherton,  Jane  W.,  no,  116; 
quoted,  184,  201 

Brumback,  John  Sanford,  early 
life,  3-4;  marriage,  4;  came  to 
Van  Wert,  5 ;  business  interests, 
6;  prompted  to  build  a  public 
library,  6;  unique  idea  that  it  be 
a  County  library,  7;  death,  7; 
press  comments  on,  7-10;  a 
letter  showing  his  interest  in  the 
Van  Wert  Library  Association 
library,  11-12;  proposition  in  his 
will  regarding  erection  of  a  li- 
brary, 13-14;  text  of  will,  14- 
16;  press  comments  on,  16-18; 
heirs,  19-34;  character  as  de- 
scribed by  his  son  at  dedication 
of  library,  69-70;  priority  of  his 
idea  for  a  county  library,  256 

Brumback,  Mrs.  John  Sanford,  4-5 

Brumback,  Orville  S.,  author  of 
bill  drawn  and  presented  to 
Ohio  Legislature  for  County  li- 
brary law,  22,  24;  address  at 
cornerstone  laying  of  Brumback 


Library,  53-55;  address  at  dedi- 
cation, 65-75 

Brumback,  Saida,  see  Antrim, 
Mrs.  Ernest  Irving 

Brumback  heirs,  proposition  re- 
garding erection  of  library,  19- 
22;  press  comments,  22-30; 
contract  with  County  Commis- 
sioners, 32-39;  erection  and  fur- 
nishing of  building,  60 

Brumback  Library  of  Van  Wert 
County,  donor,  1-16;  contract 
stipulating  terms  of  Brumback 
heirs,  32-36;  signing  of  contract 
by  County  Commissioners,  27- 
39;  architect  selected,  40,  41; 
contract  for  building  awarded, 
43;  laying  of  corner-stone,  44- 
57;  dedication,  61-86;  trustees, 
99-108;  staff,  109-117;  opening 
of  circulating  department,  118- 
24;  Central  library,  growth  and 
development,  125-32;  County 
branches,  133-81 ;  work  with 
schools  of  the  county,  182-202; 
future  possibiHties,  203-9;  pres- 
ent condition,  204;  statistics, 
210-224;  law  under  which  estab- 
lished, 256-57;  basis  of  claims 
for  priority  of  establishment, 
256;  advantages  of  a  county  li- 
brary as  illustrated  by,  274-82; 
only  one  other  similar  to  in 
U.  S.,  289 

Brumback  Library,  County 
branches,  see  Branch  libraries  of 
Brumback  Library 

Budget,  table,  219.    See  also  Funds 

Buildings  to  house  county  libraries, 
250 

Bulletin  board,  131 

Business  men's  association,  essay 
contest,  195 

California,  rapid  progress  in  estab- 
lishing county  libraries,  234; 
county  as  a  unit,  237;  county 
library  law,  243,  249,  250,  251 ; 
board  of  examiners,  252;  initia- 
tive and  referendum  state,  254; 
county  libraries,  263-65 ;  tables, 
292-93,  296 

Carnegie  county  libraries,  165,  258, 
261 

Carnegie  library  of  Paulding 
County,  (O.),  see  Paulding 
(O.)  County  library 


INDEX 


299 


Carthage,  Mo.,  County-seat  li- 
brary, 263,  288 

Cavett,  Branch  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 138,  217,  220 

Cavette,  Mrs.  R.  J.,  11,  104 

Celina,  (O.),  Standard,  quoted,  57 

CentraHzed  schools,  reading  room 
in,  207 

Chautauqua  association  in  Van 
Wert  County,  97 

Chautauqua  lecturers  and  Brum- 
back Library,  129-30 

Chavez,  French  aviator,  286 

Children's  department,  126 

Chillicothe,  (O.),  Ross  County 
library,  258,  290 

Churches  in  Van  Wert  County,  94. 
See  also  Ministers 

Cincinnati  Commercial  Tribune, 
quoted,  23-25 

Cincinnati  library,  see  Hamilton 
County  library 

"  Cincinnati  Special  Bill,"  applied 
only  to  Hamilton  and  Cuyahoga 
counties,  25,  257 

Circulation  statistics,  at  Branch 
libraries,  how  kept,  174 ;  in  rural 
schools,  191 ;  table  showing  all 
departments  since  beginning  of 
Brumback  Library,  215,  table  of 
Branch  libraries,  217;  summary 
of  1913,  222 ;  do  not  express  best 
work  of  a  library,  139 

City  libraries,  reasons  for  their  be- 
coming county  libraries,  259 

City  life  vs.  country  life,  260 

Clark,  Charles  W.,  soloist  at  dedi- 
cation of  Brumback  Library,  61 

Classed  books,  see  Non-fiction 

Claxton,  P.  P.,  addresses  Van 
Wert  County  Teachers'  insti- 
tute, 202;  visits  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 202;  articles  commending 
Brumback  Library,  quoted,  207 

"  Gearing  house  of  books,"  207 

Qipping  collection,  128 

Qubs,  work  with,  128 

College  week,  201 

Columbus,  (O.),  Dispatch,  quoted, 

85 

Commissioners,  County,  see 
County  commissioners ;  Van 
Wert  County  Commissioners 

Commissions,  State,  states  which 
have  none,  233;  functions  of, 
234;  every  state  should  have, 
230;  increase  in,  239 


Conn,  Mrs.  Ella,  112,  116,  200 

Contagious  disease,  see  Fumiga- 
tion of  books 

Contract,  text  of,  relating  to 
Brumback  Library,  32-36;  ac- 
cepted by  County  commis- 
sioners, 37-40 

Converse,  Branch  of  Brumback 
Library,  146,  217,  220 

Convoy,  Branch  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 134,  217,  220 

Convoy  Crescent,  quoted,  29,  40 

Cooperation,  county  library  helps 
develop  it  in  a  county,  277 

Corn,  see  Crops  in  Van  Wert 
County 

Corner-stone  laying,  Brumback 
Library,  44-57 

Country  people,  read  better  books, 
208,  224 

County  activities,  how  benefited  by 
County  library,  276 

County  assistant,  duties,  176-77 

County  branch  libraries,  see 
Branch  libraries  of  Brumback 
Library 

County  commissioners,  in  some 
states  permitted  to  make  appro- 
priations, 249;  may  enter  into 
arrangements  with  a  library  in 
an  adjoining  county,  251 ;  pro- 
visions that  should  be  made  for, 
254.  See  also  Van  Wert  County 
Commissioners 

County  Fair,  in  Van  Wert  County, 
96;  library  exhibits,  in  1910,  154; 
in  191 1,  156;  in  1913,  161-64; 
advantage  of  county  library  to, 
276 

County  Institute,  Teachers,  see 
Teachers'  Institute,  County 

County  librarian,  duties  and  re- 
quirements, 109 ;  qualifications 
desirable,  252;  the  ones  who 
have  served  Brumback  Library, 
1 10-12,  116 

County  libraries  in  U.  S.,  de- 
scribed, 256-73;  classified,  288; 
statistical  tables,  289-96  _ 

County  Library,  The,  justifica- 
tion of  its  existence,  139;  bene- 
fits, 253;  chief  ideal,  254;  de- 
fined, 272 ;  advantages,  274-82 ; 
the  future,  283-87;  classifica- 
tion of  and  tables,  288-296 

County  library  laws,  by  states,  240- 
48;  comparison  of,  249-55.    See 


300 


INDEX 


also  Legislation;  Names  of 
states,  e.  g.,  Wisconsin 

County  spirit  in  Van  Wert  County, 
96 

County  stations,  see  Branch  li- 
braries of  Brumback  Library 

County  Sunday  School  conven- 
tions, see  Sunday  School  con- 
ventions 

Craig,  Mrs.  J.  M.,  105 

Crops  in  Van  Wert  County,  95 

Custodians  of  Branch  libraries, 
see  Branch  librarians 

Cuyahoga  County,  (O.),  library 
law,  see  "  Cincinnati  Special 
Bill" 

Dalles,  The,  (Oreg.),  Wasco 
County  library,  268,  290 

Dasie,  Branch  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 138,  217,  220 

Date  card,  see  Schedule  of  Branch 
libraries 

Debates,  demand  for  material 
from  library,  205 ;  township  con- 
tests, 206;  training  of  young 
people  in,  207 

Dedication  of  Brumback  Library, 
program,  61 ;  addresses,  62-84 ; 
press  comments  on,  84-86 

Delivery  stations,  see  Branch  li- 
braries of  Brumback  Library 

Delphos,  Branch  of  Brumback  li- 
brary, first  location,  135 ;  list 
of  first  books  sent,  135;  problem 
concerning  borrowers  not  living 
in  Van  Wert  County,  137,  157; 
placed  in  Carnegie  library  of 
Delphos  and  final  solution  of 
borrower  problem,  158-161 ;  sta- 
tistics of,  217,  220 

Delphos  Courant,  quoted,  135 

Delphos  Herald,  quoted,  159 

Deposit  stations,  see  Branch  li- 
braries of  Brumback  Library 

Depository  for  government  docu- 
ments, 57,  58;  a  county  library 
is  logical  place  for,  280 

Dial,  The,  quoted,  132 

Direct  legislation,  public  speaking 
necessary  for  its  success,  206; 
states  having,  which  also  have 
county  libraries,  254.  See  also 
Initiative  and  referendum 

Disinfection,  see  Fumigation  of 
books 

Display  cases,  128 


Dixon,  Branch  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 148,  217,  220 
Downey,  Mary  E.,  quoted,  226 
Dudgeon,  M.  S.,  quoted,  261 

Eastman,  W.  R.,  quoted,  238,  272 

Electricity,  Books  on,  incident  of 
boy  interested  in,  140 

Elgin,  Branch  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 150,  217,  220 

Employees  of  Brumback  Library, 
rules,  113-116.  See  also  Li- 
brarian, County  ;  Assistants ; 
Apprentices 

Endowed  County  library,  Birchard 
library,  Fremont,  O.,  258 

Equipment,  County  library  can 
have  first  class,  279 

Erie,  (O.),  County  library,  258, 
290 

Essay  contest,  195 

Examiners,  State  board  of,  in 
California,  252 

Exhibits,  at  the  library,  131 ;  at 
County  Fair,  154,  156,  161-64; 
at  State  Fair,  164;  at  the  N.  E. 
A.  in  Salt  Lake  City,  164.  See 
also  Loan  exhibits 

Expenditures,  see  Budget;  Funds 

Extension  schools,  agricultural, 
196 

Extra  collections,  173 

Factories,  large  taxpayers  for 
County  library,  278 

Farming,  in  Van  Wert  County,  95- 
96;  why  the  farmer  has  grown 
rich,  281 ;  land  values  cannot  in- 
crease forever,  282;  compensa- 
tions for  material  loss,  282 

Faulkner,  Georgene,  "  story  lady," 
129 

Fiction,  comparative  percents,  223 ; 
titles  popular  with  country 
people,  225 

Field  worker,  204 

Fife,  Ray,  184,  187 

First  county  library,  Brumback 
Library,  25,  73,  82,  256-57 

Fish,  Rev.  A.  J.,  address  at  corner- 
stone laying,  49 

Forum,  The,  quoted,  144 

Freight,  see  Transportation 

Fremont,  (O.),  Birchard  library, 
258,  296 

Ft.  JVaxne  Gazette^  quoted.  26 


INDEX 


301 


Fulton,  (Mo.),  county-seat  library, 
263,  288 

Fumigation  of  books,  129 

Funds,  County  library  funds  per- 
mit of  trained  librarian,  278; 
provide  first  class  equipment,  279 

Future  of  the  County  library,  283 
et  seq 

Galbreath,  C.  B.,  address  at  dedi- 
cation of  Brumback  Library,  79 ; 
quoted,  85-86;  quotations  from 
his  Sketches  of  Ohio  Libraries, 
100,  144 

Glenmore,  Branch  of  Brumback 
Library,  146,  217,  220 

Glenn,  Judge  H.  C,  address  of 
acceptance  at  dedication  of 
Brumback  Library,  75 

Gordon,  Rev.  J.  A.,  prayer  at 
corner-stone  laying  of  Brum- 
back library,  48;  remarks  at 
dedication,  62 

Government  documents,  57,  58, 
126;  County  library  a  logical 
place  for,  280 

Green,  Janet  M.,  116,  118 

Green  County,  (O.),  library,  258, 
290 

Green  River,  (Wyo.),  Sweetwater 
County  library,  290 

Grundy  Co.,  (Mo.),  library,  257, 
263,   296 

Hagerstown,  Md.,  257,  265,  295 

Hamilton  County,  (O.),  library, 
73,  257,   258,   259,   295 

Hamilton  County,  (O.),  library 
law,  see  "  Cincinnati  Special 
Bill " 

Hanley-Hobson,  tree-planting,  130 

Hiestand's  band,  48 

High  School,  freshmen  instructed 
in  use  of  library,  198;  Home 
reading  book  list,  199 ;  "  college 
week,"  201 

Holding,  Anna  L.,  iii,  116, 
quoted,  190 

Homes,  rural,  benefited  by  county 
library,  227,  275 

Hood  River,  (Oreg.),  county  li- 
brary, 268,  290 

Hospital  in  Van  Wert  County,  97 

"  How  to  use "  cards  of  instruc- 
tions to  teachers,  191-92 

Hutchinson,  Branch  of  Brumback 
Library.  141 


Illinois,  no  county  library  law, 
271 ;  Warren  County  library, 
271,  296 

Income,  see  Funds;  Tax  levy 

Indiana,  township  libraries  used 
extensively,  235,  237;  a  county 
library  law  in  1816,  256;  no  gen- 
eral county  library  law  now, 
269;  has  a  county  library  under 
a  special  law,  269;  text  of  1816 
county  library  law,  270,  table, 
295,  296 

Initiative    and    referendum,    206, 

254-55 
Institute,    County    Teachers',    see 

Teachers'  Institute,  County 
Iowa,  county  library  law,  247,  249, 

250;  not  an  I.  and  R.  state,  254; 

recent  law  one  of  the  best,  269 

Jewett  Norris  library,  257,  258, 
263,  296 

Kern  County,  (Cal.),  library,  264, 

265,  292 
King    County,     (Wash.),    library 

service  in  schools,  266 

Ladies'    Library    Association,    see 

Van  Wert  Library  Association 
Land  values  in  Van  Wert  county, 

95 

Laws,  County  library,  see  County 
library  laws 

League  of  Library  Commissions, 
exhibit  at  N.  E.  A.,  164 

Legislation,  library,  drift  of,  233, 
county  as  unit,  237,  trend  in  last 
twelve  or  fourteen  years,  238 ;  in 
19 1 3,  238;  county  library  laws  by 
states,  240-48;  discussed  249- 
55 ;  two  provisions  that  should 
be  embodied  in  county  library 
laws,  253.  See  also  County  li- 
brary laws ;  Names  of  state, 
e.  g.,  Wisconsin 

Librarian,  County,  requirements, 
109,  252,  278;  Brumback  library, 
109-12,  116        _ 

Library  commissions,  see  Commis- 
sions, State 

Library  journal,  quoted,  238,  272 

Library  legislation,  see  Legisla- 
tion, library 

Library  trustees,  see  Trustees 

Lincoln  Highway,  92 

Lists,  see  Book  lists 


302 


INDEX 


Literary  digest,  quoted,  144 
Live  stock  in  Van  Wert  County, 

96 
Loan  exhibits,  suggestion  for  A. 

L.  A.,  131 
Local     history,     county     library 

should  emphasize,  280 
Los  Angeles  County  library,  264, 

292 
Lyman,  Edna,  lecture  by,  129 

Madera,  (Cal.),  county  library, 
264,  292 

Maintenance  of  a  county  library, 
253.    See  also  Tax  levy ;  Budget 

Malick,  Mrs.  I.  H.,  104 

Mansfield,  (O.),  Richland  county 
library,  258,  290 

Maryland,  county  library  law,  244, 
249,  251;  trustees,  253;  not  an 
L  and  R.  state;  Washington 
county  library  of  Hagerstown, 
257,  265-66,  295,  296 

Masonic  ceremonies,  see  Corner- 
stone laying  of  Brumback  li- 
brary 

Massachusetts,  municipal  libraries, 

235.  237 
Matthys,  Carrie,  112,  116 
Merchants,    large    taxpayers    for 

county  library,  278 
Metal   signs   at   Branch   libraries. 

Methods  of  operating  Branch 
libraries,  169-179 

Metz,  Corinne  A.,  in,  116,  quoted, 
189 

Meyer,  A.  B.,  quoted,  152 

Michigan  libraries,  quoted,  270 

Middlepoint,  Branch  of  Brum- 
back library,  135,  217,  220 

Minneapolis  Times,  quoted,  144 

Minnesota,  county  library  law,  242, 
249,  250,  251,  254,  262;  county 
libraries  in,  262,  269,  294,  296 

Ministers,  special  cards  183 ;  bene- 
fited by  county  library,  275 

Missouri,  county  library  law,  243, 
249,  251,  254;  county  libraries, 
263,  296 

Monmouth,  (111.),  Warren  County 
library,  257,  271 

Moving  pictures,  207 

Multnomah  County,  (Oreg.),  li- 
brary, 267,  290 


Municipal  libraries,  in  Massa- 
chusetts, 235 

National  League  of  Improvement 
Association,  quoted,  86 

Nebraska,  county  library  law,  246, 
249,  250,  251,  254;  no  county  li- 
brary yet,  268 

New  York,  traveling  libraries,  234, 
238 ;  county  library  law,  247,  249, 
250;  not  an  L  and  R.  state,  254; 
tax  feature  not  in  law,  262;  no 
county  library  in,  269 

News  Notes  of  California  li- 
braries, quoted,  263 

Newspapers  of  Van  Wert  County, 
92.  See  also  Convoy  Crescent; 
Van  Wert  Democrat ;  Van  Wert 
Bulletin ;  Van  Wert  Republican ; 
Van  Wert  Times 

Nicodemus,  J.  W.,  104 

Non-fiction,  titles  popular  with 
country  people,  225-26 

Ohio,  county  library  law,  text  of 
bill  presented  by  O.  S.  Brum- 
back in  1898,  24;  introduced  be- 
fore Hamilton  County  law,  25, 
257;  became  a  law,  25,  257; 
modified  in  1906,  240;  tax  levy, 
249,  250;  provisions  for  build- 
ings, 250;  Ohio  an  I.  and  R. 
state,  254;  pioneer  in  county  li- 
brary work,  256;  table,  290,  295, 
296 

Ohio  City,  Branch  of  Brumback 
Library,  134,  217,  220 

Ohio  Educational  monthly,  quoted, 
59,  188 

Ohio  Library  Association,  resolu- 
tion regarding  Brumback  li- 
brary, 60 

Ohio  school  law,  see  School  law, 
Ohio 

Ohio  State  Journal,  (Columbus), 
quoted,  25 

Ohio  State  library  commissioners, 
extract  from  54th  annual  report 
concerning  Brumback  Library, 
58 

"  One  more  peak,"  287 

Opening  day,  Brumback  library, 
118-119 

Opposition  to  county  library  idea, 
25-28,  39,  41-43.  See  also  Argu- 
ments for  the  county  library 

Oregon,   school   district   libraries, 


INDEX 


303 


235 ;  county  library  law,  246,  249, 
250,  251,  254;   county  libraries, 
267-8 ;  table,  290,  296 
Outlook,  The,  quoted,  164 

Packing  cases,  172.  See  also 
Boxes 

Patriotism,  county  library  fosters 
it,  277 

Paulding,  (O.).  county  library,  165, 
258;  table,  289 

Percentages,  see  Percents 

Percents,  comparison  by  depart- 
ments, 223 ;  by  classes  read,  224 ; 
table,  228-29 

Periodicals,  for  Branch  libraries, 
152 

Personal  work,  benefits,  156 

Philanthropies,  in  Van  Wert 
County,  97-98;  mostly  for  city 
people,  281 

Photographs  of  Branch  libraries, 
how  obtained  and  uses,  161-64 

Picture  books,  189 

Picture  collection,  128 

Pierce  County,  (Wash.),  library 
service  in  schools,  266 

"  Pioneer  county  library,"  256-57 

Placard  at  Branch  libraries  for 
date  of  return,  174 

Placards  at  County  Fair,  162 

Pollock,  C.  B.,  105 

Pomona  Grange,  29 

Pope,  Dr.  P.  R.,  address  at  dedi- 
cation of  Brumback  Library,  62- 
64 

Popular  fiction,  see  Fiction 

Popular  non-fiction,  see  Non-fic- 
tion 

Population  of  Van  Wert  County, 
90 

Portland,  (Oreg.),  Multnomah 
county  library,  267,  290 

Possibilities,  future,  203-9 

Postal  card  forms,  175 

Postal  savings  banks  in  Van  Wert 
County,  93 

Preachers,  see  Ministers 

Primers,  189 

Private  county  library,  258 

Progress,  quickest  way  to  inter- 
rupt, 203;  results  of  too  rapid, 
204 

Proposition  of  Brumback  heirs, 
19-22.    See  also  Brumback  heirs 

Public  libraries,  quoted,  189 

Public  schools,  see  Schools,  Rural ; 


Schools,    Town;    High    School, 
Teachers,  Rural 
Public  speaking,  206 

Racine  (Wis.),  Times,  quoted,  144 

Railroads  of  Van  Wert  county,  92 ; 
large  taxpayers  for  a  county  li- 
brary, 278 

Ranck,  Samuel  H.,  157;  quoted 
concerning  Indiana  county  law 
of  1816,  270 

Reading,  eflfect  of  library  on,  187- 
88;  comparison  of  country  peo- 
ple and  town  people,  224.  See 
also  Fiction;  Non-fiction;  Biog- 
raphy; Travel 

Recreations  in  Van  Wert  County, 

93. 

Receipts  and  expenditures,  see 
Budget;  Funds 

Records  of  Branch  libraries,  kept 
by  county  assistant,  176.  See 
also  Methods  of  operating 
Branch  libraries 

Redfield,  Supt.,  184 

Reed,  John  P.,  60,  102 

Reference  questions  answered  by 
mail,  156,  192,  206 

Registration,  see  Borrowers 

Reserve  postals,  128 

Richland  County,  (O.),  library, 
258,  290 

Roads  of  Van  Wert  County,  92 

Ross  County,  (O.),  library,  258, 
290 

Rotation  of  boxes,  141-42.  See 
also  Methods  of  operating 
Branch  libraries 

Routine  for  operating  Branch  li- 
braries, 169-74 

Rules,  governing  trustees,  105-108; 
employees,  113-16;  patrons,  121- 
24;  patrons  of  Branch  libraries, 
170-71 ;  branch  librarians,  175- 
76;  rural  school  libraries,  191- 
92;  special  rules,  120,  128,  160 

Rural  extension,  trend,  233;  pur- 
pose of  county  library,  237;  re- 
ceiving more  attention,  238, 
greater  momentum,  239 ;  in  Wis- 
consin, 272 

Rural  Free  delivery,  92 

Rural  population  of  Van  Wert 
County,  91,  95 

Rural  schools,  see  Schools,  Rural, 
Libraries  in 


304 


INDEX 


Sacramento  County  library,  264 
St.  Mary's  (O.)   Graphic,  quoted, 

59 

Salaries  of  Branch  librarians,  138- 
39;  uniform,  140 

San  I>iego,County,  (Cal.),  library, 
264,  292 

San  Francisco  City  and  County 
library,  264 

Sandusky,  (O.),  Erie  county  li- 
brary, 258,  290 

Schedule  of  Branch  libraries,  177- 

^79  .        .      ^ 

School  district  libraries,  m  Ore- 
gon, 235 

School  law,  Ohio,  192 

School  libraries,  required  by  law 
in  Ohio,  192-94;  see  also 
Schools,  Rural,  Libraries  in 

School  supervisors,  see  Super- 
visors, Township 

Schools,  Rural,  Libraries  in,  or- 
igin of,  182;  provisions  for, 
184;  unexpected  demand  for, 
185 ;  size  and  selection  of  col- 
lections, 186;  good  work  of 
school  supervisors,  187;  wide 
use  of  books,  188;  value  of  to 
the  schools,  189;  methods  of  in- 
teresting the  teachers  in,  190- 
91;  instructions  to  teachers,  191- 
92;  pictures  loaned,  192;  re- 
quirement of  new  school  law  in 
Ohio,  192;  provision  made  to 
meet  it  by  Brumback  Library, 
193794;  pupil  borrowers  not 
registered  at  Central,  210;  sta- 
tistics of,  218,  221.  See  also 
Teachers,    Rural 

Schools,  Town,  cooperation  with 
library,  198;  pupils  of  High 
School  instructed  in  use  of 
library,  198;  books  reserved 
for  special  occasions,  199; 
school-room  collections  in  low- 
er grades,  200-1.  See  also  High 
School 

Schools  of  Van  Wert  County,  94 

Scott,  Elmer  E.,  105 

Scott,  Branch  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 148,  217,  220 

Seattle,  (Wash.),  library  service 
in  King  County  schools,  266 

Sedalia,  (Mo.),  county  seat  libra- 
ry, 263,  288 

Selfishness,  main  obstacle  to 
growth  of  County  library,  285 


Shaffer,  C.  L.,  186 

Sharkey,  J.  P.,  183 

Signs,  metal,  see  Metal  signs 

Sketches     of     Ohio     Libraries, 

quoted,  100,  144 
Small-pox,    see    Fumigation    o  f 

books 
Smith,  Ella  Louise,  no,  116,  118; 

quoted,  147 
Social     hour     for     teachers,     see 

Teachers'  Institute,  County 
Special  cards,  183,  186 
Special  collections,  128 
Stacks,  enlargement  of,  125-26 
Staff  of  the  Brumback  library,  109- 

17  .    .  ^         . 

State  Commissions,  see  Commis- 
sions, State 

State  libraries,  all  states  have,  236 ; 
tendency  to  make  more  service- 
able, 238 

Statistics,  of  Brumback  library, 
210-28;  of  all  county  libraries, 
289-96.  See  also  Circulation  sta- 
tistics 

Stine,  D.  L.,  architect  of  Brum- 
back library,  40,  41 

Sub-stations,  see  Branch  libraries 

Sugar  beets,  see  Crops  in  Van 
Wert  County 

Sunday  School  conventions,  bene- 
fit of  County  library  to,  197,  276 

Sunday  School  helps,  198 

Sunday  School  libraries,  197 

Supervisors,  Township,  interest 
of,  186-87 

Swartout,  Ella,  112,  117 

Sweetwater  County,  (Wyo.),  li- 
brary, 290 

Tacoma,  (Wash.),  library  service 

in  Pierce  County  schools,  266 
Tax  basis,  no  two  states  alike,  250 
Tax  levy  for  Brumback  library,  34 
Tax    payers,    how    benefited    by 
county  library,  277,  all  get  "  val- 
ue  received"   for   their  money, 
277;    railroads,    factories,    etc, 
make  the  largest  payments,  278; 
"  knockers  "  and  those  who  re- 
sist taxation,  285 
Teachers,    resident    vs.    non-resi- 
dent, 185 
Teachers,  Rural,  methods  of  ob- 
taining  books    from    Brumback 
Library,  186;  how  reached,  190; 
social  hour  during  County   In- 


INDEX 


305 


stitute,  190-91 ;  instructions 
"  How  to  use  "  school  libraries, 
191-^;  teachers'  reports  of  cir- 
culation, 191 ;  reference  ques- 
tions invited,  192;  benefited  by 
County  library,  274.  See  also. 
Schools,  Rural 

Teachers'  cards,  183 

Teachers'  Institute,  County,  coop- 
eration with  library,  190;  social 
hour  at  library,  190-91 

Telephone,  service  in  Van  Wert 
County,  92 

Temperance  in  Van  Wert  County, 

95 

Tent  at  County  Fair,  156 

Texas,  law  providing  for  farmers' 
county  libraries,  272 

Tighe,  M.  F.,  poem  "One  more 
peak,"  287 

Time  schedule,  see  Schedule  of 
Branch  libraries 

Toledo  Blade,  quoted,  8,  25,  85 

Toledo  Courier,  quoted,  41 

Township  libraries,  extensively 
used  in  Indiana,  235 ;  arguments 
for  and  against,  279-80 

Township  superintendents  of 
schools,  see  Supervisors,  Town- 
ship 

Townships  of  Van  Wert  County, 
91,  221 

Trained  librarian,  advantages  of, 
278 

Transportation  of  County  collec- 
tions, 175 

Travel,  Books  of,  popularity,  224 

Traveling  libraries,  234;  in  New 
York,  234;  futility  of,  in  reach- 
ing farm  homes,  238 

Tree-planting  at  Brumback  li- 
brary, by  Hanley  and  Hobson, 
130 

Trenton,  (Mo.),  Jewett  Norris 
Library,  257,  263,  296 

Trustees  of  a  county  library,  253 

Trustees  of  Brumback  library, 
method  of  appointment,  21,  32- 
36,  72,  105 ;  non-partisan,  59,  81 ; 
organization,  99 ;  policy,  loi ; 
members,  102-5;  rules,  105-8; 
committees,  107;  work  of,  118, 
120,  133,  I3i8,  156,  158-61,  193-94 

Tulare,  (Cal.),  county  library,  264, 
292 


U.  S.  Bureau  of  Education,  207 
U.  S.  Commissioner  of  Education, 

see  Claxton,  P.  P. 
Unity,  county  library  emphasizes 

county  unity,  276 

Vacation  privileges,  128 

Van  W(a)rt,  Isaac,  89 

Van  Wert  (city),  location  for  ad- 
ministering the  county  library, 
170 

Van  Wert  (city)  schools,  see 
Schools,  Town 

Van  Wert  Bulletin,  quoted,  7,  11- 
12,  12-16,  22-23,  26-27,  29-30,  37- 
38,  40-41,  42-43,  44,  45-47,  57,  59, 

134.  144,  159 

Van  Wert  County,  history  and  de- 
scription, 89-98,  development  of 
the  county  library  idea  in,  loo-i 

Van  Wert  County  Commissioners, 
proposition  of  Brumback  heirs 
to,  19-22,  32,  34;  contract  with 
Brumback  heirs,  37-39;  com- 
mended by  State  Librarian  Gal- 
breath,  83 ;  cooperation  of  com- 
missioners, 99;  commissioners 
in  1913,  99 

Van  Wert  Democrat,  quoted,  28- 
29,  39,  119,  120 

Van  Wert  Library  Association, 
origin  of,  11,  67,  76;  aided  by 
city  tax  levy,  68;  incorporated 
by  contract  with  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 32-36,  71,  72;  mentioned 
by  State  Librarian  Galbreath, 
81 ;  books  turned  over  to  Brum- 
back Library,   118 

Van  Wert  Presbyterian,  quoted, 
17-18 

Van  Wert  Republican,  quoted,  8, 

16,  19-22,  27-28,  31-36,  38,  39, 
41,  42,  45,  58,  60,  84-85,  86,  120, 
134,  142-43 

Van  Wert  Times,  quoted,  8-10,  16- 

17,  27,  40,  47,  61,  85,  144,  163, 
165 

Venedocia,  Branch  of  Brumback 

Library,  137,  217,  220 
Visits   by   librarian   and  trustees, 
,   156 
Volumes  in  library,  table,  214 

Walla  Walla  County,  (Wash.),  li- 
brary service  in  schools  of,  266 

Warren  County,  (111.),  library, 
257,  258,  271,  296 


306 


INDEX 


Wasco  County,  (Oreg.),  library, 
268,  290 

Washington  County,  (Md.).  libra- 
ry, 257,  258,  26s,  295 

Washington  (state)  county  libra- 
ry law,  245,  249,  251,  254;  coun- 
ty libraries,  266-67 

Wealth  of  Van  Wert  County,  93 

Wetsel,  Branch  of  Brumback  Li- 
brary, 146,  156,  217,  220 

Will  of  J.  S.  Brumback,  provides 
for  erection  of  a  library,  in  Van 
Wert  county,  6;  proposition, 
13-14;  text,  14-16;  press  com- 
ments, 16-18.  See  also  Brum- 
back, John  Sanford 

Williams,  Nelson,  Master  of  cere- 
monies at  laying  of  corner  stone, 

44,  55 
Willshire,    Branch    of    Brumback 

Library,  133,  217,  220 
Wisconsin,   work  of   commission, 

234;  county  library  law,  241-42, 


249,  250;  trustees,  253;  to  be  L 
and  R.  state,  254;  county  libra- 
ry work,  262,  269 

Wisconsin  Free  library  commis- 
sion, 234,  262 

Worman,  Rev.  I.  D.,  dedicatory 
prayer,  78 

Wren,  Branch  of  Brumback  libra- 
ry, 149,  217,  220 

Wyoming,  county  library  law, 
241,  249,  250,  251 ;  trustees  un- 
der, 253;  would  be  L  and  R. 
state,  254;  new  laws  and  libra- 
ries under,  260-61,  290-91,  296 

Xenia,  (O.),  Green  county  library, 
258,  290 

Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  Van  Wert  County, 
97 

Zook,  J.  S.,  contractor  and  builder 
of  Brumback  library,  43 


•^•-■^    J;W(.. 


597K4     DATE  DUE 

' 

GAYLORD 

PRINTEOINU.S.A.         1 

